It was a day when records were tumbled!
19-year-old Sri Lankan cricketer Hasitha Boyagoda smashed his way into the record books by becoming the highest-ever scorer in Under-19 One-Day Internationals as Sri Lanka crushed Kenya by 311 runs at Lincoln 3 in their Under-19 World Cup clash. When Hasitha Boyagoda passed 180, he broke the record set by Jakob Bhula just last week for the highest score in U-19 ODIs!
What an innings! Hasitha Boyagoda has passed 180 and has broken the record set by Jakob Bhula just last week for the highest score in U19 ODIs! Take a bow! _ #SLvKEN #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/0zrv2CplJP
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 23, 2018
The innings has certainly brought the youngster into the limelight. Boyagoda, the right-handed top-order batsman, hammered 191 off 152 balls to power Sri Lanka to a massive 419 for 4 in 50 overs. His innings comprised of 28 fours and two sixes. In reply, Kenya was bowled out for just 108 runs in 35.5 overs.
A standing ovation for Hasitha Boyagoda after he falls for 191 – the highest ever score in U19 ODI history! ___ #SLvKEN #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/2dt5xLR8ph
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 23, 2018
This was Sri Lanka’s joint second-biggest victory in U-19 ODI history. Not a bad day for the Emerald Isle nation. This also was the 4th highest total ever in U-19 ODIs.
An U19 world record 191 from Hasitha Boyagoda leads Sri Lanka to 419/4 against Kenya in Lincoln, the 4th highest total ever in U19 ODIs #U19CWC #SLvKEN LIVE __ https://t.co/GjX7AYM8tF pic.twitter.com/Yte36Lxkhb
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 23, 2018
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This is what the cricketer said after the epic knock:
“It’s the dream of every youngster to score a century in a World Cup, no matter which age category. I knew that the highest score was 180. I knew it from social media and also got a message from the coach when I was around 150. I wasn’t thinking of records. It is a little disappointing not to get 200 but we won in the end and that’s what matters.”
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan team that is in a woeful form could actually contemplate fast-tracking this youngster in the national mix soon. That would be a big step for the young cricketer who has the makings of becoming a legend.
