Highlights: UAE shock Sri Lanka in U19 Asia Cup thriller to blow semi-final race wide open

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Highlights: UAE stunned Sri Lanka in the Asian Cricket Council Under-19 Asia Cup 2023, defeating the junior Full Member side by two wickets. Watch the UAE vs SL U19 Asia Cup highlights here.

UAE clinched a thriller to secure two points against Sri Lanka in Group B of the 2023/24 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup. Chasing 221, they had a stop-start chase, but Tanish Suri kept them on track with an 88-ball 75.

They became 172-6 before captain Aayan Afzal Khan (33) and Ammar Badami (17 not out) added 38, but Sri Lanka hit back again, and UAE needed eight runs with two wickets in hand. No.10 Ayman Ahmed then sealed the match with two boundaries. For Sri Lanka, seam bowler Garuka Sanketh returned 3-35.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka posted 220-9 after UAE had opted to bowl at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Sri Lanka were in control at 112-2 with captain Sineth Jayawardena (49) and Rusanda Gamage (26) at the crease before they slipped to 122-5, then to 168-7.

An eighth-wicket stand of 51 between Dinura Kalupahana (56 not out) and Vishwa Lahiru (26) helped them recover. Omid Rehman claimed 2-48 for the UAE, and Aayan 2-38.

Been a horrible few weeks for cricket in Sri Lanka. To make things worse, the under-19 team has just lost to UAE under-19 in the Asia Cup in Dubai. For a country that takes lot of pride in schools cricket, this loss will send shockwaves.

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) December 11, 2023

Sri Lanka’s massive win against Japan (with 226 balls to spare) had helped them secure an excellent net run rate that, even after the defeat against UAE, stands at +1.708. Having beaten both UAE (by 61 runs) and Japan (with 232 balls in hand), Bangladesh have four points in two matches and a net run rate of +2.688.

Neither side, however, has qualified for the semi-finals, for the UAE have now caught up with Sri Lanka on points, and are two points behind Bangladesh. Their net run rate reads a sorry -0.504, but their last match is against Japan, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka lock horns.

Assuming a UAE win, Sri Lanka have to beat Bangladesh to ensure a three-way tie on points, after which two teams will proceed based on net run rate. If Sri Lanka do not win, UAE and Bangladesh will go through. Both matches will be played on December 13.