Udara Jayasundara and Roshen Silva stroked half-tons for Sri Lanka ‘A’ against Pakistan ‘A’ in their 2nd unofficial Test which started on Sunday at County Grounds in Worcester.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ labored to a below-par 250 as Pakistan ‘A’ seamers, Mir Hamza, Azizullah and Hasan Ali combined to share 9 wickets.
After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost opening batsman Dhananjaya De Silva for just 5 in the 6th over of the morning bowled by Azizullah. He was drafted into the ‘A’ team after being a passenger with the national squad for almost two months in England.
Left-handed Jayasundera was then involved in two fruitful stands of 41 and 58 with Mahela Udawatta and Silva respectively. Udawatte cracked 6 fours during his 39-ball 26 while Jayasundera posted his 28th first-class half-century but was ultimately clean bowled by Mir Hamza for a 95-ball 53.
27-year old former Josephian, Silva fondly known as ‘Bunty’ continued to impress the national selectors as he top-scored with a fluent 57 off 125 deliveries. Skipper Ashan Priyanjan and wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella made 36 and 35 respectively but failed to convert the good starts into big knocks.
The Sri Lankans were 206 for 4 at one stage but lost their last 6 wickets for just 44 runs as the Pakistanis wrapped up the innings in the 70th over. Left-arm seamer Mir Hamza was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 62 off his 19 overs.
In reply, Pakistan ‘A’ lost experienced Sharjeel Khan for just 4 as left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando struck in the 1st over. Jaahid Ali and Saud Shakeel batted through the next hour cautiously to remain unbeaten on 15 and 25 respectively as Pakistan ‘A’ ended day one on 47 for 1.
The match will be continued today (11th July) for second day’s play.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ – 250 all out in 69.5 overs: Udara Jayasundara 53, Mahela Udawatte 26, Roshen Silva 57, Ashan Priyanjan 36, Niroshan Dickwella 35, Mir Hamza 4/62, Azizullah 2/43, Hasan Ali 3/70.
Pakistan ‘A’ – 47/1 in 16 overs: Jaahid Ali 15*, Saud Shakeel 25*.
