It’s Chirag Suri’s birthday today, and he knows exactly what he wants as his gift – a surprise win over Sri Lanka in their final Group D match of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
The stylish UAE U19 right-hand batsman, who played a spirited innings of 57 in their loss to New Zealand at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, turns 19 and is hoping to have more than one reason to party at the end of the day.
“I think getting a half-century against a team like New Zealand was definitely a great feeling. The last few games I was not getting many runs, so to make a 50 against a Test-playing nation was fantastic,” said Suri, who normally opens the innings for the UAE, but was sent down the order at No6 against the Kiwis.
“It was disappointing to lose the match after having New Zealand in a bit of trouble early on, but we are now looking forward to our last match against Sri Lanka. We have come into the tournament knowing that we can put up a good show, and that is what we want to do against Sri Lanka.
“We haven’t really executed our plans well in the last two matches, but it definitely was a step in the right direction against New Zealand and we would like to continue doing that. We want to keep improving and keep getting closer.
“Of course, it is my birthday and I know what I want as a gift. I have taken a lot of confidence from the half century, and I am hoping to do even better against Sri Lanka. But the best gift would be if we are able to beat them.”
It is an inconsequential match for both the teams, with Sri Lanka already qualifying for the quarter-finals with their two successive wins, including Sunday’s thriller against England.
The UAE have lost both their matches, and will definitely not advance to the knock-out stage.
While the UAE take on Sri Lanka in Sharjah, all eyes will be on the other Group D match today, which is a knock-out contest between England and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium.
Both teams have won a match each and the winner today will make it to the quarter-finals.
