Sri Lanka ‘A’, Pakistan ‘A’, Commonwealth and Barristers of England and Wales win on day five

By P.D. De Silva

Sri Lanka ‘A’ recovered from their loss at the hands of Pakistan ‘A’ on Tuesday kept their hopes of reaching the final alive when they cruised to a six wicket win over India ‘B’ at the Air Force ground on Wednesday. 

India ‘B’ posted 160/9 in their 35 overs which Sri Lanka ‘A’ surpassed in 29.1 overs. Kushal Bhandari scored an unbeaten 59 for India ‘B’ while Pavithra Bolapage, Kasun Hettiarachchi and Asela

Patabendi produced the runs for Sri Lanka ‘A’. With all the first round matches completed in Group ‘B’ Sri Lanka ‘A’ are placed second behind undefeated Pakistan ‘A’. India ‘B’, Commonwealth and Bangladesh ‘B’ are placed third, fourth and fifth.

120 off 80 balls with eleven fours and four sixes by Muzaffar Hussain and a five wicket haul by Haza Naveed Sheikh helped Pakistan ‘A’ win their fifth game and top group B of the tournament by crushing

Bangladesh ‘B’ by 244 runs at Thurstan ground on Wednesday. Opting to bat first Pakistan ‘A’ posted 290/7 in their allotment of 35 overs and bowled out Bangladesh ‘B’ for 14.2 overs. 

In another group B match, the Commonwealth team registered their second win of the tournament defeating Pakistan ‘B’ by 8 wickets at the MCA ground. Pakistan ‘B’ powered by a half ton by Syed Ahmed scored 177/8 but the commonwealth team powered by 66 and an unbeaten 65 by Vinod Dangi and Dhrumi Shah respectively won the game in 25 overs. In a group A match played at the Army ground in Panagoda, the Barristers of England and Wales put Bangladesh ‘A’ out of contention of a place in the final four when they registered a five wicket win in

a final over thriller. Half tons by Syed Fazyl Elahai (61)and Sakibur Rahman (70) saw Bangladesh ‘A’ to 190/6 in 35 overs but Jasraj Singhara 47* and Muhammed Ahmed 33 saw them win with four balls remaining.

Once again the match scheduled to be played at the LRDC ground had to be abandoned due to damp ground conditions and will be played today before the business end of the tournament commences on Friday. The scheduled game was between India ‘A’ who lead group ‘A’ with four wins from four outings and Sri Lanka ‘B’ who have won a solitary game from their four outings.