By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Sri Lanka’s promising cricketer for the future, Kamindu Mendis struck his fourth half century in the tournament when he made 61 in 55 balls to guide the defending champions Sri Lanka Emerging team to a formidable total of 270 for seven in 50 overs.
In a thrilling final encounter at the Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Saturday, a strong Indian team almost reached the victory target, but a committed Sri Lankan team defended well to retain the Emerging Cup winning the match by 3 runs.
India were struggling in their chase at 127 for 6 as the Sri Lankan spinners ran through the strong Indian middle order on a pitch which offered plenty of spin. Indian skipper Jayant Yadav and Shams Mulani added 107 runs for the 7th wicket to send jitters into the Sri Lankan camp.
Yadav made a brilliant 85-ball 71 with 5 fours, while Mulani stroked 46 runs off just 44 balls. But, Sri Lanka once again got them back to the driver’s seat through two exceptional pieces of brilliance on the field in the space of two balls.
Yet, India were kept in the hunt by Atit Sheth who made a couple of massive sixes in the final over. With 20 runs to win, ambidextrous bowler Kamindu Mendis was put to the sword by Sheth slamming 2 sixes. But, the Sri Lankan leaked only 16 runs as Sheth failed to connect the final delivery over the ropes.
Off-spinner Shehan Jayasuriya and left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya caused the early damage to India with some quality spin bowling as both took two wickets each.
Embuldeniya dismissed opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad and wicket-keeper batsman Simran Singh, while Jayasuriya clean bowled the two main pillars in the Indian lineup, Himmat Singh and Deepak Hooda.
Earlier, Sri Lankan opening batsman Hasitha Boyagoda cracked a fine half-century to lay a brilliant foundation, slamming 8 glorious fours during his well-compiled 54 off 62 deliveries.
Avishka Fernando and Sammu Ashan made 29 and 20 respectively, while Shehan Jayasuriya struck a vital 46 off 56 balls to hold the Sri Lankan middle order. All the Indian spinners took a wicket each as Sri Lanka milked them around effectively.
Once again, it was left-handed middle order batsman Kamindu Mendis, who provided to be the game changer for Sri Lanka, scoring his fourth half-century in the tournament. He struck a superb 61 off 55 deliveries with only 3 fours and 1 six as Sri Lanka posted a reasonable 270 on the board. Mendis was well-supported by Wanindu Hasaranga towards the end as he made 26-ball 31.
This is Sri Lanka’s second ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup victory in the brief history of three editions. Sri Lanka won the tournament last year in Bangladesh beating Pakistan in the final.
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