Pathum and Chamika heroics reprieve Ireland ‘A’ victory

Sri Lanka ‘A’ managed to end the 2nd and last Unofficial Test against the visiting Ireland ‘A’ team on a high courtesy a couple of valiant knocks from Pathum Nissanka and Chamika Karunaratne today at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.

Ireland ‘A’ smell rare victory over Sri Lanka ‘A’

The visiting Ireland ‘A’ side just continued to extent their dominance over Sri Lanka ‘A’…

Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis resumed Sri Lanka’s 2nd innings today, still 25 runs behind the tourists on 180/4. Providing Sri Lanka with the ideal start for the day, the two young stars batted on for 25.2 more overs taking Sri Lanka to the lead.

Pathum Nissanka started off the day by getting to his 6th first-class century. Kamindu Mendis on the other hand went on to score a half-century before he became the 1st victim of Mark Adair’s double strike.

The Nissanka-Mendis 5th wicket stand was worth 154 runs and literally saved Sri Lanka from a shameful defeat. The 2nd victim of Adair’s double strike was Sammu Ashan, who batted extremely well in the 1st innings.

When Chamika Karunaratne joined Nissanka following Ashan’s dismissal for 14 runs, Sri Lanka were leading by just 110 runs. With two entire sessions left in the day Ireland were still in the game with an outside chance. But, even the slightest chances of an Irish victory were just thrown away by the two right-handers, Pathum Nissanka and Chamika Karunaratne.

The duo added 102 runs for the 7th wicket in the space of just 20.4 overs. Pathum Nissanka went on to score his second first-class double century of the season during the tremendous partnership. His memorable knock unfortunately came to an end when Jonathan Garth dismissed him for 217 runs. Nissanka had faced 274 deliveries with 28 boundaries.

Following Nissanka’s dismissal, Chamika took the lead and smashed the Irish bowlers to all parts of the ground as he reached his maiden first-class century. His century came in 106 deliveries with 11 fours and 2 maximums. As soon as he reached his 100, Sri Lanka ‘A’ skipper Ashan Priyanjan decided to declare the innings.

Sri Lanka declared their innings on 468/7 setting a 264-run target for the visitors. With 20 odd overs remaining in the day, Sri Lanka started off their defense superbly as left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya dismissed James Shannon in the 2nd delivery of the innings.

James McCollum on the other end continued his good form scoring quickly. Anyway Sri Lanka managed to take the 2nd wicket as Ashan Priyanjan dismissed Stephen Dohenny in the 4th over, when Ireland were on 27.

Embuldeniya struck soon in the very next over by dismissing Irish captain, Harry Tector for a duck. The Sri Lankans were well in the game with a good chance of recording a coming from behind victory with Ireland struggling at 28/3 in the 5th over.

The game was finally brought to an end as McCollum and Locran Tucker batted through the remaining overs cautiously. Ireland ended the day on 89/3 in 24 overs with McCollum and Tucker unbeaten on 45 and 22.

With the last day heroics, Sri Lanka ‘A’ succeeded in denying Ireland a rare victory. The 2-match series ended 1-0 with Sri Lanka emerging as winners.

Ireland ‘A’ will now meet the Sri Lanka ‘A’ line-up led by Upul Tharanga on the 19th of this months for the 1st Unofficial ODI at the same venue.