Bangladesh U19 Hold Nerve in Run Chase as Sri Lanka U19 Crush Nepal on Opening Day

Two contrasting Under-19 contests shaped an eventful day in the youth tournament as Bangladesh Under-19 pulled off a tense chase against Afghanistan, while Sri Lanka Under-19 opened their campaign with a ruthless win over Nepal. One match demanded composure under pressure, while the other ended almost before it began.

Bangladesh U19 Edge Afghanistan in High-Scoring Thriller

Bangladesh Under-19 showed composure and depth to chase down a demanding target against Afghanistan Under-19, winning by three wickets in a high-scoring Group B encounter.

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat, backing their batters on a good surface. Their decision paid off through disciplined accumulation rather than reckless hitting. Afghanistan's top-order was also stunning today, where batsmen rotated strike well and posted a strong 283 for 7 from their 50 overs.

Bangladesh seemed to face early pressure at the start of the chase as Afghanistan’s bowlers kept the things tight for them throughout the innings. But, Bagadeshi batters managed to get the things right, however, wickets fell at regular intervals, refusing to let Bangladesh settle completely.

The defending champions responded with calm partnerships through the middle overs. Their batters didn't panic at all, and picked their boundary options wisely.

With the match drifting towards the final overs, Bangladesh held their nerve better. The lower middle-order also kept the things right for the team, rotated strike smartly, and avoided risky strokes. The winning runs came with seven balls remaining as Bangladesh reached 284 for 7 in 48.5 overs.

The result delivered a crucial early boost for Bangladesh in a group that promises tight finishes and little margin for error.

Sri Lanka U19 Run Through Nepal in One-Sided Contest

Sri Lanka Under-19 sent a clear warning to the rest of the competition with a crushing eight-wicket victory over Nepal Under-19 in their opening match.

In this match, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision that proved right, making the chase an easy one for them. Nepal struggled right from the start of the match, where Sri Lankan bowlers' sharp swing added constant pressure for them. 

Spinner Sethmika Seneviratne led the demolition with a superb five-wicket haul. His pace and swing didn't allow batters forward to play free hand throughout the innings as his figures of 5 for 25 broke the backbone of Nepal’s innings.

Nepal never recovered after losing early wickets and eventually collapsed for 82 all out in just 28.5 overs. This low total reflected Sri Lanka’s control and at the same time, Nepal’s disappointment while facing Sri Lankan bowlers. 

The chase lasted barely over fourteen overs, where Sri Lanka batted with restraint, avoided unnecessary risks, and closed the match without drama. They reached 84 for 2 in only 14.5 overs, sealing victory with 211 balls to spare.

A Day of Contrast Sets the Tone

The two matches offered a sharp contrast in styles and outcomes. Bangladesh relied on patience and temperament under pressure, while Sri Lanka flexed authority through discipline and execution.

Both results provided the early narrative of the tournament, where Bangladesh showed they can absorb pressure, and Sri Lanka made it clear that they can overwhelm opponents quickly.