India Under-19 won their first match of the Tri-Nation ODI tournament by 86 runs (Duckworth/Lewis method) at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sarfaraz Khan (84) starred in India’s victory with the bat while Mahipal Lomror claimed a four-for.
After bad weather conditions delayed the start of the game, India were propelled to 254 for seven in the 34 overs-a-side match by Sarfaraz and Anmolpreet Singh. Asked to bat, they lost debutant Himanshu Rana with 21 runs on the board and Rishabh Pant followed him back two runs later. Anmolpreet and the big-hitting Sarfaraz then revived the innings with a 126-run partnership for the third wicket.
Anmolpreet slammed 56 off 41 before being sent back by Hugh Bernard while Sarfaraz’s 66-ball blitzkrieg comprised seven boundaries and six sixes. Useful contributions by Bhui, Ishan Kishan and Mahipal Lomror then ensured the team set England a stiff target.
England’s task was made tougher by weather reducing their innings to 29 overs and with a target of 246 to chase. While opener Dan Lawrence held up one end with a 55-run knock, they were pushed on the back-foot by Kanishk Seth upfront. After the pacer left England on 45 for two, the India attack continued to strike at regular intervals to keep the balanced tipped in their favour. Mayank Dagar claimed two while Lomror claimed four for 10 to keep England to 159 for nine in their allotted overs and help India post a win.
Brief scores: Ind U19 254/7 in 34 overs (S Khan 84, A Singh 56, B Green 3/28) beat Eng U19 159/9 in 29 overs (D Lawrence 55, B Green 23, M Lomror 4/10, K Seth 2/17) by 86 runs under D/L method
