Five batsmen complete fifties as Sri Lanka ‘A’ fight back

First 4-day unofficial Test at Rawalpindi

Thursday, 14 November 2024 01:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Wanuja Sahan (left) and Sonal Dinusha put on 130 for the eighth wicket

Sri Lanka ‘A’, trailing Pakistan ‘A’ by 143 runs in the first innings, fought back magnificently in the second innings to end the third day of the first four-day unofficial Test on 364-9 – an overall lead of 221.

Resuming at 77-1, Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost Nipun Dananjaya (28) and Ahan Wickramasinghe (53 off 95 balls, 5 fours) to be 87-3. But two excellent century partnerships lifted them to a total from which they will be able to put the pressure back on the hosts.

Skipper Pasindu Sooriyabandara (64 off 95 balls, 7 fours) and Pavan Ratnayake (60 off 69 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) put on 126 for the fourth wicket to take Sri Lanka ‘A’ to 213-3. But once the partnership was broken, Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost four wickets for 13 runs to slump to 226-7.

However, Sonal Dinusha and Wanuja Sahan figured in a magnificent partnership of 130 for the eighth wicket to give Sri Lanka ‘A’ a fighting chance of turning the tables on the hosts on the final day today. Dinusha was unbeaten on 62 scored off 125 balls (6 fours). Sahan hit a splendid 73 off 99 balls (7 fours, 1 six).

Pacie Khurram Shahzad who took four wickets in the first innings was once again the pick of the Pakistan ‘A’ bowlers, adding a further four wickets to his match tally.