Lanka humbled Nepal, while defending champions Bangladesh secured a hard-fought victory over Afghanistan to kickstart their respective campaigns in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 on Saturday.
In the third match of the eight-team tournament at the ICC Academy, Bangladesh chased down a challenging total of 284 with three wickets to spare, thanks to a collective bowling effort and an anchoring innings by Zawad Abrar.
Afghanistan, opting to bat first, posted 283/7, led by top-order batter Faisal Shinozada, who scored a brisk 103 off 94 balls including eight fours and four sixes.
He forged a 93-run partnership for the third wicket with Uzairullah Niazai, who contributed 44 off 55 balls.
For Bangladesh, Shahriar Ahmed and Iqbal Hossain Emon picked up two wickets each, while Saad Islam, Samiun Basir, and Rizan Hossan claimed one apiece.
During the chase, Bangladesh’s openers Zawad Abrar and Rifat Beg put on 151 runs, setting a strong foundation.
Zawad top-scored with 96 off 112 deliveries, striking nine fours and six sixes, while Rifat added 62 off 68 balls.
Skipper Azizul Hakim contributed 47 off 48 balls, and middle-order batter Rizan Hossan steered Bangladesh home with an unbeaten 17 off 13 balls.
For Afghanistan, Khatir Stanikzai and Roohullah Arab took two wickets each, while Salam Khan claimed one.
Meanwhile, at The Sevens Stadium, Sri Lanka registered a commanding eight-wicket win over Nepal. Put into bat first, Nepal struggled to 82 all out in 28.5 overs, with Cibrin Shrestha top-scoring with 18 off 43 balls.
Openers Sahil Patel and Niraj Kumar Yadav managed 12 runs each.
Sri Lanka’s bowling was spearheaded by Sethmika Seneviratne, who claimed a remarkable 5/25 in 9.5 overs, supported by Rasith Nimsara, Vigneshwaran Akash, Dulnith Sigera, and Chamika Heenatigala, who picked up one wicket each.
Chasing a modest 83-run target, Sri Lanka cruised to victory with eight wickets in hand and 211 balls to spare.
Right-handed opener Dimantha Mahavithana top-scored with 39 not out, while Kavija Gamage contributed 24 not out. Dayanand Mandal claimed the only wicket for Nepal.
The win placed Sri Lanka at the top of Group B due to a superior net run rate, with Bangladesh in second, Afghanistan third, and Nepal at the bottom.