Afghanistan ‘A’ warm-up for one-off unofficial 4-day test

• Win fifth and final unofficial ODI by five wickets

Afghanistan ‘A’ may have lost the five-match unofficial ODI series 2-3 to Sri Lanka ‘A’, but by securing back to back victories in the fourth and fifth ODIs they have given themselves a tremendous boost to their confidence for the one-off unofficial 4-day test starting on Saturday at the P Sara Oval.

Yesterday at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota, Afghanistan ‘A’ beat Sri Lanka ‘A’ by five wickets with five overs to spare to win the fifth and final unofficial ODI. Sri Lanka ‘A’ won the first three ODIs to take a winning lead and Afghanistan ‘A’ the next two.

Inviting Sri Lanka ‘A’ to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan ‘A’ did well to bowl them out for 197 in 43 overs with the main damage being done by seamer Naveed Zadran (4/45) and left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote (3/31).

Of the home team batters only Pasindu Sooriyabandara stood tall with a delightful 70 off 92 balls (8 fours).

Pacie Mohamed Shiraz had Afghanistan ‘A’ on the back foot as early as the third over with two early wickets for five runs. But opener Riaz Hassan who has been a consistent run-getter in the series shared in two half-century partnerships to ensure Afghanistan ‘A’ got to their target quite comfortably.

Riaz finished unbeaten on a durable 74 scored off 117 balls (5 fours) and figured in stands of 68 with Darwish Rasooli (36) and 85 with acting skipper Shahidullah (47). – (ST)

Scores: Sri Lanka ‘A’ 197 (43) (Minod Bhanuka 24, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 70, Sonal Dinusha 21, Naveed Zadran 4/45, Nangeyalia Kharote 3/31)

Afghanistan ‘A’ 198-5 (45) (Riaz Hassan 74*, Darwish Rasooli 36, Shahidullah 47, Nangeyalia Kharote 27*, Mohamed Shiraz 2/23, Dushan Hemantha 2/46)