Ton-up Shibli puts Bangladesh in youth Asia Cup semifinal

Opener Ashiqur Rahman Shibli continued his rich vein form and struck a century to help Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by six wickets for their third straight victory at ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai on Wednesday.

By doing so, Bangladesh confirmed the Youth Asia Cup semifinal as champions of Group B.

The junior Tigers will take on Group A runners-up India on Friday to seal a spot in the final.

Sri Lanka however failed to move to the semifinal after this defeat. UAE which stunned Sri Lanka instead made it semifinal as Group B runners-up.

Shibli who hit 71 and 55 not out in the first two matches, was unbeaten on 116 as Bangladesh gunned down Sri Lanka's 199-9, with 204-4 in 40.5 overs.

Shibli smashed 11 fours and two sixes in his 130-ball-knock.

Chowdhury Rizwan made 32 runs and added 74 with Shibli after Bangladesh lost opener Jishan Alam in the first over.

Ariful Islam contributed 18 while Ahrar Amin chipped-in-with 23.

Earlier, Wasi Siddiqur claimed 3-32 to dismantle Sri Lanka's batting line up.

He was ably supported by Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Maruf Mridha who took two wickets apiece.

Opener Pulindu Perera with 28 was Sri Lanka's top-scorer. Skipper Sineth Jayawardena and Bishwa Lahiru made identical 25.

Bangladesh earlier beat UAE and in their first two matches.

Source: BSS