Sri Lanka A defeat Bangladesh A to enter semis of T20 Emerging Team Asia Cup

MUSCAT: Sri Lanka A joined Afghanistan A from Group A in the semi-finals of the ongoing ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup after a dominant 19-run win over Bangladesh A at the Oman Cricket Academy ground on Tuesday night.

In the final league game of the group, Bangladesh, chasing 162 to win, were restricted to 142/7.

The victory also sealed Sri Lanka’s top spot in the group and they will now play the second-placed team of Group B in the semi-finals on Friday.

India A have already qualified into the semis from Group A and a win over hosts Oman on Wednesday will secure them top spot.

The winner of the morning match on Wednesday between Pakistan A and UAE will decide the semi-finalist to face Sri Lanka A. Afghanistan A will play the winner of Group B.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh openers – Saif Hassan (29 retd hurt) and Parvez Hossain Emon (24) began the chase in the right earnest as they scored 41 in just 3.4 overs. However, an injury to Hassan left Bangladesh at 59/1.

Sri Lanka’s Dushan Hemantha’s three-wicket spell triggered a middle order collapse as their opponents were struggling at 103/6 in 15 overs.

Abu Hider’s lone fighting unbeaten knock of 38 that included three maximums was not enough as Bangladesh needed 23 off the last over and they could only manage 142/7.

Earlier, Sri Lanka rode on Pavan Rathnayake’s 26-ball 42 blitz and Sahan Arachchige's 30 to set up a competitive total after openers Yashoda Lanka (23) and Lahiru Udara (35) smashed 40 in the first 5 overs. Skipper Nuwanidu Fernando scored a 20-ball 19 to help the team score 161/7.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka A 161/7 (Yashoda Lanka 23, Lahiru Udara 35, Sahan Arachchige 30, Pavan Rathnayake 42; Ripon Mondol 2/36, Rejaur Rahman Raja 2/35) beat Bangladesh A 142/7 (Said Hassan 29 reth hurt, Parvez Hossain Emon 24, Abu Hider 38 not out; Dushan Hemantha 3/23).