Sri Lanka U17 defeated Pakistan U17 by 99 runs in the opening 50-over match at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 239 for six in their allotted 50 overs, with Methuka Gunaratne top-scoring with 77 from 92 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Gunaratne shared an 88-run opening partnership with Yenula Hewavatharana, who contributed 36, to provide Sri Lanka with a solid start.

Reshon Solomons struck 42, while Sashith Bandara remained unbeaten on 21.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Ihsaan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 43 runs, while Fahad Iqbal claimed two for 49.

In reply, Pakistan were dismissed for 140 in 39 overs, falling 99 runs short of their target. Mohammad Saim top-scored with 30, while Hamid Raza contributed 28 and Daud Tauqeer Rana scored 26.

Sandaru Malshan led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack with three wickets for just 16 runs, while Thisanga Perera took two for 19.

The two teams will meet in the second 50-over match on Saturday, 17 October, followed by the third and final match on Monday, 19 October.

Earlier, the three-day match between the two sides, played in Multan from 9 to 11 October, ended in a draw, with centuries from Sri Lanka’s Sashith Bandara and Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousaf highlighting the contest.

Bandara scored 103 from 198 deliveries, including 12 fours, as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 285 in their first innings.

Pakistan responded with 434 for eight declared, built around Yousaf’s commanding 161 from 190 balls, which featured 16 fours and four sixes.

Sri Lanka were 208 for six in their second innings when the match ended, with Stevon Peiris scoring 67 and Methuka Gunaratne contributing 49.

Scores in brief

1st 50-over match — Sri Lanka U17 beat Pakistan U17 by 99 runs, Multan

Sri Lanka U17 239-6, 50 overs (Methuka Gunaratne 77, Reshon Solomons 42, Yenula Hewavatharana 36, Sashith Bandara 21 not out; Mohammad Ihsaan 3-43, Fahad Iqbal 2-49)

Pakistan U17 140 all out, 39 overs (Mohammad Saim 30, Hamid Raza 28, Daud Tauqeer Rana 26; Sandaru Malshan 3-16, Thisanga Perera 2-19)

Upcoming matches

2nd 50-over match — 17 October
3rd 50-over match — 19 October

Three-day match — Drawn, Multan (9–11 October)

Sri Lanka U17 285 all out, 86.5 overs (Sashith Bandara 103, Raveen Sachintha 38; Fahad Iqbal 3-46, Mohammad Ihsaan 3-62, Mohammad Yaqoob Khan 2-33) and 208-6, 59 overs (Stevon Peiris 67, Methuka Gunaratne 49, Reshon Solomons 30, Sashith Bandara 27 not out; Abdullah Ahmed Butt 2-26, Mohammad Ihsaan 2-46, Fahad Iqbal 2-58)

Pakistan U17 434-8 declared, 101.3 overs (Mohammad Yousaf 161, Sudais Ahmed 61, Arsalan Hassan 45, Hamid Raza 40, Azan Ahmed 31, Mohammad Yaqoob Khan 26, Daud Tauqeer Rana 24, Mohammad Ihsaan 23; Sandaru Malshan 3-104, Tharuka Samanjith 2-59)