Kusal Janith Perera stroked a superlative century to help Sri Lanka A register an easy 8-wicket win over Pakistan A in their 1st unofficial ODI played at Matara Uyanwatte Stadium on Sunday.
The visiting skipper Fawad Alam won the toss and elected to bat first on a sunny morning. Lankan opening fast-bowler Lahiru Gamage struck the first blow when he removed Mohammed Rizwan for just 5 runs. Young Israrullah and experienced Khurram Manzoor constructed a 31-run stand for the 2nd wicket but the 25-year old Israrullah was dismissed for 25 by the right-arm off spin of Shehan Jayasuriya. Few overs later, Dushmantha Chameera took his first wicket when he got the outside edge of Manzoor for 24.
Skipper Alam and Vice-captain Umar Amin gave back life to the Pakistan A innings with a top notch partnership of 62 but Amin fell for the bowling of Jayasuriya after making a well-compiled 32. Alam played a sensible innings to stabilize the innings but wickets continued to fall from the other end. The left-handed Alam stroked a 74-ball 58 with 3 fours and a six while late-order batsman Imad Wasim made a valuable 35.
Right-arm quick Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers as he grabbed 3 wickets with 2 wickets off consecutive balls in the latter stages of the innings. Off-spin pair of Shehan Jayasuriya and Tharindu Kaushal was very economical in scalping 2 wickets each. A solid bowling performance from the home team kept the visitors for just 203 all out in 48.1 overs.
Chasing a below par target of 204 runs to win, Sri Lanka opening pair of Kusal Janith Perera and Shehan Jayasuriya got off to a flyer adding 27 in just 4.3 overs before Jayasuriya (5) fell to the bowling of left-arm seamer, Mir Hamza and few balls later Zia-Ul-Haq got the better of Danushka Gunathilake for just 4 runs.
The experienced Kusal and skipper Ashan Priyanjan became the match-winners as they toyed with the Pakistan A bowling attack smashing 152 runs for the 3rd wicket. They consumed only 143 balls for their magnificent partnership as it helped the hosts to a cruising win. Kusal Janith blasted 114 in just 88 deliveries before retiring hurt due to an injury. Perera’s knock had 18 classy fours and a six.
Priyanjan remained unbeaten on 57 from 77 balls with Milinda Siriwardene helping him scoring 15 runs not out. Sri Lanka reached the target in the 33rd over to register a dominating win.
The 2nd unofficial ODI will be played on 29th April at Hambanthota Suriyawewa International Stadium.
Chief Scores:
Pakistan A – 203 all out in 48.1 overs: Fawad Alam 58, Imad Wasim 35, Umar Amin 32, Dushmantha Chameera 3/34, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/49, Tharindu Kaushal 2/35, Lahiru Gamage 2/40.
Sri Lanka A – 204/2 in 32.2 overs: Kusal Janith Perera 114*, Ashan Priyanjan 57*.
