An extraordinary batting performance from Sri Lanka, built around a staggering, record-breaking 191 from Hasitha Boyagoda, saw them record the highest U19 ODI score in their history, and the fourth-highest for all teams, to put them in an overwhelmingly strong position in their plate quarter final against Kenya here at Lincoln on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka posted mammoth 419/4 in their 50 overs, as Boyagoda entered himself into record books with perfection!
His epic knock of 191 off just 152 balls, including 28 fours and two sixes, was probably the best innings in the history of the U19 cricket. During the innings, he broke Jakob Bhula’s record for the highest score in an U19 world cup, interestingly made just six days ago against the same opposition.
The shots were exquisite, the pacing was sublime. He first took advantage of powerplay restrictions, racing away to his half century in just 39 balls, then taking stock in the middle overs, before accelerating towards the end, and the technique too was up there with the best we’ve seen this tournament, despite the strike rate, this was no mad dash of slog fest indeed, as Boyagoda struck just two sixes.
Instead, Boyagoda relied on the virtues of placement and timing, as his off side front foot strokes were particularly eye catching.
Team management kept him on the bench for last two matches due to same ‘mysterious’ reasons, but when he finally got the chance, he made Trinity College proud, he made entire Sri Lanka proud.
