| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
Sylhet: Sri Lanka opened its ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016 campaign with an authoritative, dominant performance against Canada to seal an mammoth 196-run victory at the Sylhet District Stadium on Thursday.
There were four half-centurions in the line-up as Sri Lanka posted 315 for 6. In response, Canada was bundled out for 119 as Sri Lanka sealed victory with minimum fuss.
Canada might have hoped to emulate Nepal, who sprung the first upset of the tournament, beating the much-fancied New Zealand in Fatullah earlier in the day.
However, Sri Lanka was merciless, and wasn't willing to budge an inch. It chose to bat and was on the front foot almost throughout the match, even accounting for its tendency to lose quick wickets. Arslan Khan was Canada's lone positive, his defiant 71-ball unbeaten 42 propping it up even as wickets fell all around him.
Kaveen Bandara and Avishka Fernando gave Sri Lanka a good start, the two putting on 44 within ten overs, their runs coming in singles and doubles.
Canada, claimed two wickets in the tenth over, sent down by Abdul Haseeb, the medium pacer. Fernando (16 off 23) was trapped in front and Kamindu Mendis was bowled for nought.
Sri Lanka refused to be bogged down though as Charith Asalanka, the captain, came in to partner Bandara. The two dug in initially, before taking Sri Lanka forward with a 109-run stand for the third wicket.
Asalanka was particularly aggressive, scoring a 69-ball 76 that comprised nine fours before he fell to Miraj Patel, the offspinner, in the 29th over.
But Canada couldn't capitalise on the breakthrough. Shammu Ashan, the in-form middle order batsman, and Vishad Randika joined forces, putting on 92 for the fifth wicket.
Ashan assumed the role of the accumulator as Randika (51 off 27) attacked, and he had just crossed the half-century mark when he holed out of Abraash Khan.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka U19 - 315 for 6
Canada U19 - 119 all out
Result - Sri Lanka U19 won by 196 runs
