Sri Lanka ‘A’ go 2-up in rain curtailed second unofficial ODI

 Kamil Mishara led Sri Lanka ‘A’s run chase with an unbeaten run-a-ball 45

Qais Ahmed top scored for Afghanistan ‘A’ with 46 

• Afghanistan ‘A’ lose by eight wickets

Sri Lanka ‘A’ led by all-rounder Sahan Arachchige took a 2-0 lead in the five-match unofficial ODI series when they beat Afghanistan ‘A’ by eight wickets under the DLS method in the second match played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota yesterday.

In a rain curtailed match where several stoppages took place Afghanistan ‘A’ choosing to bat first were dismissed for 121 off 27.2 overs. Sri Lanka ‘A’ required to score 101 off 30 overs and got there in virtually half the number of overs making 104-2 in 15.2 overs to win with 88 balls to spare.

Afghanistan ‘A’ were in a bad way at 25-4 off 8 overs when the first stoppage for rain occurred. When play resumed the match was reduced to 45 overs a side. But a second spell of rain after 16.1 overs with Afghanistan on 62-6 saw the game being further reduced to 30 overs a side.

Afghanistan were in dire straits at 30-6 in 11 overs when Farmanullah and Qais Ahmed affected a recovery with a stand of 75 that saw them to their final total of 121.

Farmanullah hit three fours and a six in his innings of 37 off 49 balls before being run out, and Qais 46 off 49 balls inclusive of three sixes and a four and was the last wicket to fall.

Sri Lankan seamers Mohamed Shiraz and Chamika Gunasekara using the conditions to good effect made early inroads into the Afghanistan ‘A’ batting which apart from the one partnership failed to gain any momentum.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ raced to 20 off the first 13 balls. Following Nishan Madushka’s departure for 14, Lahiru Udara (20) and Kamil Mishara (45* off 45 balls, 6 fours) added 50 for the second wicket.

Nuwanidu Fernando put the finishing touches to the match by hitting spinner Qais Ahmed for six to seal a comfortable victory for the home team. The third unofficial ODI will take place at the same venue on 3 May.      – (ST)

Scores:

 Afghanistan ‘A’ 121 (27.2) (Farmanullah 37, Qais Ahmad 46, Mohamed Shiraz 2/17, Chamika Gunasekara 2/28, Sahan Arachchige 2/23)

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 104-2 (15.2) (Lahiru Udara 20, Kamil Mishara 45*)