Dinusha and the tail save Sri Lanka ‘A’ the blushes

Wednesday, 20 November 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Second unofficial 4-day Test against Pakistan ‘A’

The Sri Lanka ‘A’ lower order once again came to the rescue of their team in the second four-day unofficial cricket Test against Pakistan ‘A’ played at Rawalpindi.

Invited to bat again after losing the toss for the second time in the series, Sri Lanka ‘A’ was rattled by the pace of Khurram Shahzad, losing half the side for 35, before Sonal Dinusha mounted a rescue operation scoring a fighting 85* off 172 balls (7 fours) to see his side to a respectable total of 310 on the second day of the match yesterday after continuing from their overnight score of 293-8.

Dinusha was involved in four face-saving partnerships of 59 for the sixth wicket with Pavan Rathnayake (35), 56 for the seventh with Dinura Kalupahana (30), 98 for the eighth with Wanuja Sahan (63 off 79 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) and 61 for the ninth with Isitha Wijesundara (51 off 41 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes).

24-year-old Shahzad, who has played three Tests for Pakistan, was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with excellent figures of 6/30 off 10 overs. Left-arm spinner Safi Abdullah, who conceded 100 runs off 23 overs, captured two wickets.

Pakistan ‘A’ in reply were 212-5 at the close, trailing by 98 runs. Opener Abdul Faseeh top scored for them with 59, while Mohammad Suleman made 40 and there were 30s from Ali Zaryab and Haider Ali. Sahan took two of the wickets to fall, conceding 53 runs.