Bangladesh stop Sri Lanka to finish third

Fatullah: Host Bangladesh squeezed past Sri Lanka with three deliveries to spare to take third place in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2016 with a three-wicket win in Fatullah on Saturday.

Sri Lanka, beaten by India in the semi-final, made a sound start as openers Kamindu Mendis (26) and Salindu Ushan (34) put on 60 for the first wicket in 12 overs.

But Bangladesh hit back to grab three wickets in the space of 10 runs before skipper Charith Asalanka and Wanidu Hasaranga revived the innings with a 55-run stand for the sixth wicket. Hasaranga fell for 30 while Asalanka was ninth out after top-scoring with 76 with the help of six boundaries and a six.

Off-spinner Mehidy finished with three for 28. Mohammad Saifuddin and Abdul Haleem picked up two wickets each.

Bangladesh, looking to bounce back after the semi-final loss to the West Indies, lost opener Zakir Hasan in the first over bowled by Asitha Fernando.The home team’s run-chase was hampered by the run-outs of their two main batsmen, Mehidy and Nazmul, before all-rounder Saifuddin also fell in similar fashion.

Sri Lanka’s Asalanka blamed the defeat on yet another batting failure. “I am really disappointed because we came here to become champions and could only finish fourth,” he said. “We have not batted well in several matches and today again we fell about 20 runs short. “But we had some good wins in the tournament, especially the quarter-final against England when we won by six wickets. But overall, we should have played better.”

Summarised scores

Third place play-off: Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in Fatullah.

Sri Lanka 214 all out in 48.5 overs (Charith Asalanka 76, Salindu Ushan 34, Wanidu Hasaranga 30; Mehidy Hasan 3 for 28, Mohammad Saifuddin 2 for 48, Abdul Haleem 2 for 26) vs Bangladesh 218-7, 49.3 overs (Mehidy Hasan 53, Nazmul Hossain 40, Jaker Ali 27 not out; Shammu Ashan 2-39)

Today: Final - India v West Indies, Mirpur