After suffering three defeats on the trot, Afghanistan ‘A’ finally managed to bounce back with a win as they defeated Sri Lanka ‘A’ by 4 wickets in the fourth Unofficial ODI of the five-match series played today (5th May) at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. The hosts lead the series 3-1.
After been put into bat first, the hosts were in a spot of bother losing their first 4 wickets for 101 runs. However, the skipper Nishan Madushka and middle order batter Sonal Dinusha resurrected the innings, adding 137 runs for the 5th wicket.
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Madushka went onto score his 4th century in List A cricket while Dinusha contributed with a vital half-century – his 6th in List A career. Thanks to their contributions, Sri Lanka ‘A’ managed to post a solid total – 275/7 on the board.
Afghanistan got off to a brilliant start in the run-chase as their opening pair Riaz Hassan and Zubaid Akbari put on 133-run stand for the first wicket.
The wrist spinner Dushan Hemantha struck twice in the 26th over to peg things back for the hosts, but the opening batter Hassan continued to send the bowlers on a leather hunt, scoring a match-defining century.
Sri Lanka managed to keep things tight at the latter part of the innings, taking wickets at regular intervals but the visitors held their nerves to put their side over the line in the last over of the innings.
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Sri Lanka ‘A’ will take on Afghanistan ‘A’ in the fifth and final One Day encounter on the 7th May at the same venue.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka ‘A’– 275/7 (50) Nishan Madushka 115, Sonal Dinusha 78, Kamil Mishara 24, Bilal Sami 3/54, Qais Ahmad 3/62
Afghanistan ‘A’ – 276/6 (49.4) Riaz Hassan 106, Zubaid Akbari 68, Nangeyalia Kharote 40, Shahidullah 39, Dushan Hemantha 2/39
Result – Afghanistan ‘A’ won by 4 wickets
 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. The hosts lead the series 3-1.){kind=link}