Bangladesh U-19 secure strong lead

Bangladesh U-19 took a strong 3-1 lead in the six-match youth ODI series against Sri Lanka with a 146-run win in Colombo.

Opening batsman Zawad Abrar starred with a century, finishing on 100 off 95 balls.

He hit a flicked six in the 35th over after a 133-run stand with Rizan Hasan.

This was Zawad’s second hundred of the series, having earlier scored an unbeaten 130 in the second match.

Bangladesh posted 336 for 8 — their second-highest total in Youth ODIs.

Rizan supported Zawad with 82 off 77 balls. In the final overs, Samiun Bashir (23 off 8) and Al Fahad (19 off 5) added vital runs to lift the score further.

Chasing 337, Sri Lanka were never in the game. They lost four wickets inside 36 runs and were eventually bowled out for 190 in 38.4 overs.

Captain Bimath Dinsara’s half-century was the only highlight for the hosts.

Pacer Al Fahad picked up 3 for 41 while left-arm spinner Sanjid and captain Azizul Hakim took two wickets each.

With this win, Bangladesh have ensured they won’t lose the series.

Zawad now has a chance to match Towhid Hridoy’s record of three centuries in a youth bilateral series for Bangladesh, with two matches still to play.