The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the inaugural edition of the ACC Women’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2024. The six-team tournament will be hosted by Malaysia from 15th to 22nd December 2024.
The hosts Malaysia led by skipper Nur Daniya Syuhada were up against Sri Lanka led by skipper Manudi Nanayakkara in the tournament opener of the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Limansa Thilakarathne and Manudi Nanayakkara power Sri Lanka to a strong total
The hosts, Malaysia got off to a dream start, reducing Sri Lanka to 18/3 in the final over of the powerplay after the opposition skipper Manudi Nanayakkara won the toss and opted to bat first. Dahami Sanethma joined Limansa Thilakarathne, and the pair steadied the ship with a crucial 26-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side closer to the 50-run mark. Nur Isma Daniel picked up the wicket of Dahami Sanethma to provide the 4th breakthrough for Malaysia.
Skipper Manudi Nanayakkara (74* off 40 balls) joined Limansa Thilakarathne (41* off 46 balls) at the crease and the duo took their side past the 150-run mark, with an unbeaten 109-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take their side to a total of 153/4 in their quota of 20 overs. Skipper Manudi Nanayakkara (74* off 40 balls), and Limansa Thilakarathne (41* off 46 balls) were the stand-out performers with the bat for Sri Lanka. The pair contributed a significant amount (71%) of the team’s total.
Skipper Nur Daniya Syuhada (4-0-21-2), Suabika Manivannan (4-0-23-1), and Nur Isma Daniel (4-0-28-1) were the positives with the ball for Malaysia.
Lankan Bowlers choke Malaysia to a hammering defeat in the tournament opener
Chasing a target of 154, the hosts Malaysia succumbed to the scoreboard pressure as they were restricted to 59/6 in their quota of 20 overs, as a result, falling 94 runs short of the target. The 19-run 5th wicket partnership between Suabika Manivannan and Nur Ain Binti Roselan was the highest partnership of the run chase for Malaysia.
Suabika Manivannan (11 off 28 balls), Nur Ain Binti Roselan (12 off 15 balls), and Nuriman Hidaya (10 off 32 balls) were the only batters to get into double digits. Hiruni Hansika (3-2-2-2), Asheni Thalagune (4-1-6-1), Rashmika Sewwandi (2-0-3-1), Pramudi Methsara (2-1-7-1), and Chamodi Praboda (3-0-13-1) were the stand-out performers with the ball for Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan skipper Manudi Nanayakkara was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning unbeaten half-century (74* off 40 balls).
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