The India U-19 bowlers bowled Sri Lanka U-19 out for 170 to capture a huge 97 run win in the first 2016 U 19 World Cup semi final at Mirpur today.
The comfortable manner in which India dispatched their neighbours, first recovering from a batting blip to post a decent total and then regularly breaking partnerships will please India U 19 coach Rahul Dravid for Sri Lanka are the toughest opposition his wards have faced yet in the tournament.
Sri Lanka's decision to field first bore early fruit when dangerous openers Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan were both dismissed with India on just 27 in the tenth over. Sarfaraz Khan (59) then stepped in to join Anmolpreet Singh (72) to rebuild the Indian innings. They added 96 for the third wicket as Anmolpreet brought up his first fifty of the tournament and Sarfaraz his fourth.
The going was slow though and Washington Sundar helped the run rate along with his 45 ball 43, adding 60 with Anmolpreet for the fourth wicket. Armaan Jaffer made an invaluable 16 ball 29 before Mahipal Lomror (11) and Mayank Dagar (17) took over the slogging to help India post a bigger total. They finally managed a healthy 267/9 in 50 overs.
For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando led with 4/43 with support coming from Lahiru Kumara and Thilan Nimesh both of whom took 2/50. Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Vishad Randika had as many as six dismissals with five catches and a run out.
Avesh Khan put India up early, trapping Avishka Fernando LBW in the first over and running Kaveen Bandara out with a razor sharp throw from the deep following a mix up. 13/2 became 42/3 when captain Charith Asalanka took on Rahul Batham in his first over only to sky a catch to mid on.
The 49 run partnership that followed was to be Sri Lanka's biggest of the game as Kamindu Mendis (39) and Shammu Ashan (38) played smartly. India didn't help either by missing several chances, twice in one over from Sundar.
Rahul Batham had to walk off the field after injuring himself while trying to run out Mendis and Ishan Kishan brought Rahul Dagar on in the hope of a wicket. It paid off as Mendis was dismissed trying to sweep. Kishan's worries continued though as Lomror hobbled off when a drive from Randika hit him on the ankle in his follow through.
Kishan got the team the next breakthrough by running out Shammu. India had another chance to run Randika out off the very next ball but couldn't.
Sarfaraz Khan helped his captain out with four overs for just 10 runs and almost had Randika stumped. Randika was not lucky a third time as the return of Avesh Khan saw him edge behind off the very first ball. 
Khaleel Ahmed then had Wanidu Hasaranga caught behind and the last three wickets fell with the score on 170 with Sundar and Dagar sharing the spoils.
Dagar's 3/21, Avesh's 2/41, Khaleel's 1/34, Batham's 1/19 and Sundar's 1/27 were the bowling contributions for India as Sri Lanka U-19 were beaten for the 23rd consecutive time by India U-19.
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