HAMBANTOTA: Captain Rohail Nazir’s impressive half-century helped Pakistan U-19 beat their Sri Lanka counterparts by three wickets in the second one-day match to level the five-match series 1-1 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hamb­antota on Tuesday.

Chasing a 221-run target, Pakistan U-19 achieved victory in the last over with three wickets remaining. Batting at number three spot, wicket-keeper/batsman Rohail hit seven fours in his 98-ball 87 while Haider Ali scored 56 off 60 balls with six fours. The pair added 60 runs for the second-wicket partnership. Junaid Khan (30) was the other notable run-getter.

Dilshan Madushanka, Sudeera Thilakaratne and Navood Paranavithana took two wickets each for Sri Lanka.

Earlier, after electing to bat, Sri Lanka U-19 posted 220-8 in the stipulated 50 overs. Avishka Tharindu top-scored with 54 that came off 78 balls and included five fours while Rohan Sanjaya scored an unbeaten 45 off 59 balls with four fours.

Sanjaya added 67 runs for the ninth wicket with Ashian Daniel (20 not out).

Akhtar Shah and Junaid took two wickets apiece conceding 32 and 39 runs, respectively.

The third match of the series will be played on Friday at the same venue.

Summarised scores:

SRI LANKA U-19 220-8 in 50 overs (Avishka Tharindu 54, Rohan Sanjaya 45 not out; Akhtar Shah 2-32, Junaid Khan 2-39); PAKISTAN U-19 221-7 in 49.5 overs (Rohail Nazir 87, Haider Ali 56; Dilshan Madushanka 2-27, Sudeera Thilakaratne 2-35, Navood Paranavithana 2-51).

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2019