The UAE’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign came to an abrupt end at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday with an eight wicket defeat to Sri Lanka.

The tournament hosts won the toss and elected to bat – a decision that looked to have paid off when they amassed 125 runs for the loss of four wickets.

The opening pair of Shiv Mehra (22) and Dan D’Souza (23) put on an unbeaten half century stand, before Shorye Chopra top-scored for the UAE with an impressive 69.

Chirag Suri and Shivank Vijayakumar kept the UAE innings ticking over with 24 runs apiece, while Moaz Qazi chipped in lower down the order with a brisk 21. T

he UAE were eventually bowled out just shy of the 48th over for 205, with Sri Lanka spreading the wickets around their bowling pack.

Binura Fernando, Anuk Fernando, and Harsha Rajapaksha each claimed two wickets, while Hashen Ramanayake, Lakshan Jayasingheand AK Tyronne grabbed one apiece.

The UAE’s total was a respectable one, but a stunning unbeaten century by Hashan Dumindu took the game away from the hosts.

Dumindu’s 113 was ably supported by Kusal Mendis (45) and Ramanayake, who remained unbeaten on 34 when Sri Lanka passed the UAE total in the 44th over.

While the defeat signaled the end of the UAE’s campaign, their improved batting against one of the tournament favourites would have encouraged coach Aaqib Javed.