Dhanushka Gunathilaka smashed a career best 70 off 44 balls as Sri Lanka A routed Kenya by 53 runs in the second of the seven-match T20 series played at the NCC grounds today.
Kenya managed 134 for loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.
Gunathilaka, a left-handed opener plundered seven boundaries and fours sixes in his brisk innings and shared two valuable 55-run partnerships for the second and third wickets with skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne as Sri Lanka A made an imposing 187 for 7 in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka started off poorly, like in the first match on Sunday losing opener Shehan Jayasuriya with the total on 16, but Gunathilaka showed character as he took the Kenyan bowlers to the sword stroking a match winning contribution. Chandimal made 24 off 22 with three boundaries while Lahiru Thirmanne contributed a valuble 23 off 16 balls with two sixes and boundary to propel Sri Lanka A’s total Jeevan Mendis chipped in with some useful runs in the dying moments hitting 18 off 10 balls while Dilhara Lokuhettige scored 14 off seven balls including a six to put Sri Lanka in a winning position. Brothers Nelson and Nehemiah Odhiambo captured three wickets apiece but conceded as many as 77 runs in their eight overs.
Chasing a mammoth total to win, Kenya had the worst possible start when Shaminda Eranga put Sri Lanka on top as he trapped Morris Ouma leg before in his first ball of the match.
Spinner Seekkuge Prasanna then bowled Nehemiah Odhiambo two over later to reduce visitors for 15 for 2 in 4.2 overs put visitors under tremendous pressure in pursuit of a big total. Since then wickets fell at regular intervals pushing them for their second defeat in a row. Irfan Karim was the top scorer with a 19 ball 32. His unbeaten knock which came during the last few overs saw three boundaries and a six. Duncan Allen made a quick-fire 21 off 12 balls with two massive sixes. Colling Obuya made 26. Seekkuge Prasanna was the pick of the bowler with two for 21 in his four over spell.
Sri Lanka A: 187 for 7 in 20 overs ( Dhanushka Gunathilaka 70, Dinesh Chandimal 24, Lahiru Thirmanna 23, Jeevan Mendis; Nelson Odhiambo 3 for 39, Nehemiah Odhiambo 3 for 38)
Kenya : 134 for 6 in 20 overs (Irfan Karim 32, Colling Obuya 26, Duncan Allen 21; Seekkuge Prasanna 2 for 21)
