Sri Lanka dent hosts UAE's hopes

The UAE bowed to experienced and outstanding fielding of the Sri Lankans in the first match of their Asia Cup under-15 super league at the Dubai Cricket Council ground No.1 yesterday.

The Sri Lankans, after bundling out the UAE for 79 runs, raced to victory in just 13.4 overs, losing just one wicket.

The UAE, who had entered the super league with an unbeaten run, virtually ran themselves out of yesterday's match. Four of their batsmen were dismissed through run outs by the agile Sri Lankan fielders, after mounting pressure with some tight bowling.

Put in to bat, the UAE got off to a shaky start. Farhan Siddiqui, was the first to go caught by Chaturanga at first slip off skipper Angelo Mathew for two. Sharan Kumar then followed, caught at square leg off Shalika Karudanayake for seven.

The UAE skipper Ramveer Rai, tried to stay on the wicket, but his 22-ball innings ended when he played into the hands of Sachitra at gully off Shalika for five. Sri Lanka kept a tight hold on the proceedings with some brilliant fielding. Owais Hameed was run out off a brilliant pick and throw from Sudesh Fernando from deep square leg for four.

Sri Lanka tightened their grip by introducing spinners. Malinda Pushpakumara, who bowled a tidy length, had Rameez Shehzad, who had hit an unbeaten 54 against Oman on Friday, leg before for two.

With half the side back in the pavilion for 43, the Sri Lankan bowlers went for the kill. They set up an attacking field and the fielders rose to the occasion. Angad Ajgoankar was brilliantly caught and bowled by Malinda Pushpakumara.

Next man Qasim Zubair was run out off another superb piece of fielding – a pick and throw by Sudesh at mid off. Pranav Arora, too, could not beat the fast pick and throw from Shalika at square leg.

Much was expected of the hard-hitting Mohammed Fawad, who had hit two whirlwind fifties in this tournament. He, too, was run out by Chaturanga, who spotted him standing outside the crease after completing a run.

Angelo ended the UAE innings by clean bowling Sufiyan Javed. Shehan Dharamsena stood amidst the ruins with a patient unbeaten 21. The UAE were thus bowled out for 79 off just 34.2 overs.

Sri Lanka began the chase in style. Opener Sameer Soysa was severe on any short-pitched ball. He once hit two successive boundaries to deep mid-wicket off Fawad's short-pitched deliveries.

Qasim Zubair struck having Sachitra Serasinghe caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Farhan for five. Fawad, who bowled a good length, troubled Soysa in one over, making him edge past a diving Farhan and twice beating him outside the off stump.

However, Soysa recovered to play some superb drives. He got good support from one-drop Chaturanga Thirimande.

The pair remained unbroken with a 65-run partnership and saw their team to victory in 13.4 overs. Soysa cracked an unbeaten 41 (37b, 6x4), while Thirimande remained unconquered on 33 (38b, 4x4).

Summarised scores:
UAE 79 in 34.2 overs (Shehan Dharmasena 21, Angelo Mathew 2 for 11, Shalika Karudanayake 2 for 17, Malinda Pushpakumara 2 for 6) lost to Sri Lanka 80 for 1 in 13.4 overs (Sameer Soysa 41n.o, Chaturanga Thirimande 33n.o).
Man of the match: Malinda Pushpakumara.