Sri Lanka A’s misery continued as they lost their third consecutive match in the Triangular series to Pakistan A by 4 wickets at Northampton.
Sri Lankan A suffered a heavy defeat yesterday and had to fight for survival in the series against Pakistan A in the third match of the triangular series today.
Ashan Priyanjan won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers got off to a flying start yet again thanks to an explosive innings by Niroshan Dickwella. Dickwella scored 44 runs off just 31 balls before he threw away his wicket.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa came in at first drop and scored a well composed half century to take his team over the 150 mark in the 26th over.
Bhanuka was caught and bowled by Mohommad Nawaz who tightened the screws in the middle period to give Pakistan A the upper hand.
Ashan Priyanjan got another start but failed to carry on as he got out for 34 runs.Angelo Perera and Thisara Perera put up 65 runs for the 7th wicket.
Thisara scored a quickfire 41 while Angelo chipped in with a valuable 35. However after Sri Lanka lost those two batsmen, they lost their way and ultimately was bowled out for 254 with three over to spare.
Shadab Khan cleaned up the tail by taking three to wickets and Mohommad Nawaz bagged 2 wickets with an economy rate of just 3.90 in his ten overs.
It was belter of a pitch at Northampton. If Sri Lankan A was to win they had to take ten wickets. In the first match they couldn’t take early wickets and the Pakistan openers punished them, especially Sharjeel Khan.
This time around Lankans did not allow Pakistan to get away with the game as they managed to send both Sharjeel and Fakhar back to the pavilion within the first ten overs.
Skipper Babar Azam joined Jahid Ali at the crease. The pair put up 139 runs for the 3rd wicket which took the game away from the Lankans.
Jahid top scored with 77 while Babar Azam scored 71 runs and guided his team closer to victory. The lack of penetration by the bowlers helped Pakistan reach the target with utmost ease with 4 wickets in hand and 11 balls to spare
