Sri Lanka A cruise to a five wicket win over Kenya in the sixth unofficial T20 match played at the CCC grounds this morning. This was Sri Lanka’s fifth win in the series. They lost the 5th match on Thursday by six wickets.
Another lack-lustre performance from the Kenyan batsmen formed the basis for their fifth defeat as they managed 131 for six wickets from their 20 over which Sri Lanka comfortably reached with four balls to spare. Having invited to bat first, Kenya had the worst start of the series losing openers for just three runs on the board with Sri Lanka opening bowlers Ishan Jayaratne and Lahiru Jayaratne used conditions perfectly well to dismiss the Kenyan openers. Lahiru Jayaratne removed Nehemeiah Odhiambo for no score in the first over while Duncan Allen fell to Ishan Jayaratne in the next over without adding any runs on the board. Ishan then removed Morris Ouma for six runs as Kenya struggled at 12 for 3 in the third over. However Irfan Karim and Collins Obuya shared fighting 52 for the fourth wicket to give them some breathing space in the face of some tight bowling from the host. Karim was slow but anchored the innings with an unbeaten 53 off 55 balls while Obuya hit 25. Rakep Patel hit a quick fire 28 off 12 balls with four boundaries and six to propel the innings. Ishan and Lahiru Jayaratne were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets apiece.
Sri Lanka A chasing 132 to win had opener Upul Tharanga regaining his form with a match winning 48 off 45 balls with three boundaries and three sixes and share d 74 runs for the first wicket with Mahel Udawatte ( 31). Left arm spinner Hiren Varaiya was the pick of the bowler retuning figures of three for 15 in his four over spell. Ragheg Aga and Nehemeiah Odhiambo picked up one wicket apiece.
Kenya: 131 for 6 in 20 overs ( Irfan Karim 53 n.o., Collins Obuya 25, Rakep Patel 28, Ishan Jayaratne 2 for 23 , Lahiri Jayaratne 2 for 28)
Sri Lanka 132 for 5 in 19.2 overs ( Upul Tharanga 48, Mahela Udawatte 31; Hiren Varaiya 3 for 15)
