Sri Lanka ‘A’ pull off eight-run win over Afghanistan ‘A’

Bilal Sami gets the wicket of Nishan Madushka on his way to a four-wicket haul 

Afghanistan ‘A’s Riaz Hassan celebrates his century with Darwish Rasooli with whom he put on 163 for the second wicket​

Sri Lanka ‘A’ opener Nishan Madushka gets runs on the off side during his innings of 72

• Take 1-0 lead in five-match unofficial ODI series

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Half-centuries from Nishan Madushka and Nuwanidu Fernando and a tidy spell of off-spin bowling by skipper Sahan Arachchige saw Sri Lanka ‘A’ pull off an eight-run win on DLS method over Afghanistan ‘A’ in the first unofficial ODI played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium, Hambantota yesterday and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing a target of 305 Afghanistan ‘A’ were well and truly in control following a finely paced out century from opener Riaz Hassan (100 off 115 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) and Darwish Rasooli (75 off 70 balls, 7 fours, 1 six). The pair added 163 for the second wicket. At 207-2 in the 36th over Afghanistan ‘A’ were within striking distance of their target, but the dismissals of Hassan and Rasooli within five overs of each other saw the innings lose momentum.

When the match was stopped for bad light Afghanistan were 277-7 in 48 overs, nine runs short of the DLS target score. Arachchige struck deep into the hearts of their batting removing the century-maker and also claiming the wicket of the captain Ikram Alikhil (13) and Mohammad Ishaq (2) off successive overs to end with figures of 3/40 off his 10 overs.

Earlier, Sri Lanka ‘A’ invited to bat first scored 304-8 courtesy of some good contributions from the top order. Madushka scored 72 off 82 balls (7 fours), Kamil Mishara, a stylish 48 off 56 balls (4 fours) and Nuwanidu Fernando, an authoritative 83 off 67 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes).

Afghanistan ‘A’s new ball bowlers Mohammed Saleem (3/63) and Bilal Sami (4/51) took seven wickets between them and kept the Sri Lanka ‘A’ run rate in check by taking wickets at crucial junctures of the innings. The second unofficial ODI will be played at the same venue tomorrow (30 April).

Scores: 

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 304-8 (50) (Nishan Madushka 72, Kamil Mishara 48, Nuwanidu Fernando 83, Dushan Hemantha 20, Mohammed Saleem 3/63, Bilal Sami 4/51)

Afghanistan ‘A’ 277-7 (48) (Riaz Hassan 100, Darwish Rasooli 75, Shahidullah 20, Farmanullah 20*, Qais Ahmed 28, Sahan Arachchige 3/40)