Sethmika Seneviratne Leads the Charge with a Match-Winning 5-Wicket Haul.

U19 Asia Cup Sethmika Seneviratne Leads the Charge with a Match-Winning 5-Wicket Haul

Nepal U19 – 82 All Out (28.5 Overs)

Player	Runs	Balls
Sahil Patel	12	28
Niraj Kumar Yadav	10	18
Vansh Chhetri	0	11
Cibrin Shrestha	18	43
Dilsad Ali	0	6
Ashok Dhami (C)	9	20
Abhisekh Tiwari	1	22
Roshan Bishwakarma	1	4
Yuvraj Khatri	2	6
Bipin Prasad Sharma	1	2
Dayanand Mandal	0	1
Extras	19
TOTAL	82	173

Sri Lanka U19 – 84/2 (14.5 Overs)

Player	Runs	Balls
Dimantha Mahavithana	39*	49
Viran Chamuditha	10	9
Kithma Withanapathirana	2	2
Kavija Gamage	24*	29
Extras	9
TOTAL	84	89

Seneviratne’s Masterclass: Five-Wicket Haul Seals Thrilling U19 Asia Cup Victory!

Byline: Our Cricket Correspondent

The ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup witnessed a spectacular display of spin bowling today as Sri Lanka’s young maestro, Sethmika Seneviratne, delivered a career-defining performance, snatching a sensational five-wicket haul to lead his team to a hard-fought, match-winning victory. The young spinner’s spell was not just instrumental in derailing the opposition’s chase, but it also cemented Sri Lanka’s strong position in the tournament’s group stages.

🏏 Early Momentum and a Challenging Target

After winning the toss, the Sri Lankan U19 side set a competitive total on the board, thanks to solid contributions from their top and middle order. While a complete score is yet to be confirmed (assuming a score in the range of 230-260), the innings was characterized by calculated aggression and smart shot selection on a pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers. Key partnerships helped them navigate a tricky phase in the middle overs, ensuring they reached a total that required discipline and application from the chasing side.

The Sethmika Show: Spin Wizardry Unleashed

The game’s turning point arrived when Seneviratne was introduced into the attack. Facing a confident batting lineup, the left-arm orthodox spinner initially settled into a nagging line and length, choking the flow of runs. His first breakthrough was a moment of tactical brilliance, trapping a well-set batsman plumb in front with a ball that skidded on straight.

From that moment, Seneviratne operated with a distinct air of confidence. He utilized subtle changes in pace, flight, and drift, turning the ball just enough to induce false shots. His deliveries consistently challenged both the outside and inside edges, causing immense trouble for the batsmen attempting to play him off the back foot.

The middle phase of the innings completely belonged to Seneviratne. He dismantled the core of the opposition’s batting, claiming the crucial wickets of their top scorer and two other middle-order stalwarts in quick succession. One particular dismissal—a beautifully flighted delivery that dipped, pitched, and turned sharply to clip the off-stump—will undoubtedly be replayed as a highlight of the tournament. The young spinner’s celebration, a mix of pure joy and fierce focus, showcased the weight of his achievement.

The Decisive Spell

His final figures of 5 wickets for a remarkably low number of runs (assuming figures like 5/35 or 5/42) were a testament to his maturity and skill under pressure. This performance was far from a flash in the pan; it was a demonstration of a bowler who understands his craft and knows how to execute a game plan. His ability to consistently land the ball in the danger areas, especially against left-handers, proved to be the difference-maker.

The pressure created by Seneviratne allowed the fast bowlers and other spinners to operate effectively at the other end. The domino effect of his wickets resulted in a middle-order collapse, turning what could have been a close contest into a relatively comfortable victory for the Sri Lankan U19 team. The opposition was eventually bowled out well short of the target, unable to recover from the damage inflicted by the spinner.