Bangladesh couldn’t end the group stage on a high, while Sri Lanka sealed their place in the semi-finals with an impressive win.
All four of Bangladesh’s top-order batters got decent starts, but none could carry their innings deep. A last-over six from SM Mehrab Hasan added some late excitement, but Bangladesh still couldn’t reach their target. Sri Lanka marched into the semi-finals with a superb victory.
In their final group-stage match of the ACC Rising Stars Tournament, Bangladesh ‘A’ fell short by 6 runs against Sri Lanka ‘A’. Chasing 160, Akbar Ali’s side finished on 153.
Despite this defeat, Bangladesh topped Group A thanks to their dominant performances in the first two matches. They will face Group B runners-up India ‘A’ on Friday in the first semi-final.
Sri Lanka, who edged past Afghanistan ‘A’ to finish as Group A runners-up, will take on Group B toppers Pakistan Shaheens (A team) in the second semi-final.
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan all finished with 4 points, but Afghanistan exited the tournament due to an inferior net run rate.
In their do-or-die match, Sri Lanka were carried to a competitive total by a near single-handed effort from Sahan Arachchige. He struck 69 off 49 deliveries with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Captain Dunith Wellalage added a quick 23 off 14, and later delivered a brilliant spell of left-arm spin, taking 3 wickets for 19 runs to earn Player of the Match.
Sri Lanka fielded eight players with international experience, while Bangladesh featured five such players.
After losing the toss at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, Sri Lanka scored 21 runs in the first two overs. But in the next over, pacer Abu Hider removed openers Nishan Madushka and Vishen Halambage.
Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan dismissed Lasith Croospulle immediately after being hit for a six, and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain removed Nuwanidu Fernando. Ramesh Mendis was run out for 17 by a sharp throw from Mehrab.
At 99 for 5 in the 15th over, Sri Lanka were in trouble. But a 52-run stand between Arachchige and Wellalage carried them past 150. Ripon Mondol dismissed both in the final over.
In the chase, Habibur Rahman Sohan launched the innings in style, smashing Milana Ratnayake for a six over long-off off the very first ball, followed by another one two balls later. In Ratnayake’s next over, Sohan—who hit a record century off 35 balls in the previous match—struck a four and a six back-to-back.
Sohan (27 off 14) was trapped LBW trying to play leg-side against off-spinner Travin Mathew. The other opener, Jisan Alam, fell for 17 thanks to a brilliant catch by Ramesh Mendis.
Jawad Abrar played some eye-catching strokes and built a steady partnership with Akbar Ali. By 10 overs, Bangladesh were in a strong position at 85 for 2.
But in the next over, Jawad (25 off 26) was trapped LBW by a slower ball from Garuka Sanketh—who bowls with a slinging Malinga-like action. The scoring rate then slowed.
Mahidul Islam Ankon couldn’t make an impact (8 off 10). Wellalage tightened the grip further by bowling out both Mahidul and Akbar in consecutive overs.
Bangladesh needed 40 runs from the final four overs. Yasir Ali and Mehrab kept hopes alive. In the final over, with 18 required, Yasir took a single off the first ball before Mehrab launched a mighty six. The next ball was a wide, and a bye added one more run.
That left 9 needed off 4 balls. But Bangladesh could only manage two singles via leg-byes. Yasir (20 off 17) was trapped LBW on the last ball, leaving Mehrab unbeaten on 16 off 14.
Score Summary
- Sri Lanka ‘A’: 159/7 in 20 overs
(Madushka 9, Halambage 13, Croospulle 9, Nuwanidu 15, Arachchige 69, Mendis 17, Wellalage 23, Ratnayake 1*, Madushan 1*; Ripon 4-0-41-2, Rakibul 3-0-19-1, Abu Hider 4-0-37-2, Mehrab 4-0-30-0, Saqlain 4-0-27-1, Jisan 1-0-5-0) - Bangladesh ‘A’: 153/6 in 20 overs
(Sohan 27, Jisan 17, Jawad 26, Akbar 25, Mahidul 8, Yasir 20, Mehrab 16*; Ratnayake 3-0-35-1, Mathew 4-0-26-1, Madushan 4-0-31-0, Wellalage 4-0-19-3, Halambage 1-0-8-0, Sanketh 4-0-32-1)
Result: Sri Lanka ‘A’ won by 6 runs
Player of the Match: Dunith Wellalage
