Opener Nishan Madushka hit 72 while Nuwanidu Fernando scored a brilliant knock of 83 runs as Sri Lanka A recorded an eight run win on (D/LS Method) against Afghanistan A in their first ODI unofficial game of the five match series played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Afghanistan A chasing a target of 305 managed to get 277 for 7 wickets in 48 overs and two umpires Nilan de Silva and Chandrika Amarasinghe declared bad light at 6.4 pm. At that stage Afghanistan A bad to get 285 runs in 48 overs and Sri Lanka A recorded a thrilling 8 run win.
I opener Riaz Hassan scored superb knock of 100 in 115 balls with 10 fours and a six adding 163 run second wicket stand with Darwish Rasool who scored 75 in 70 balls with 7 fours and a six but it was in vain while two off spinners skipper Sahan Arachchige and Nuwanidu Fernando bowled good spells to put pressure for Afghan middle order.Skipper Sahan Arachchige took 3 for 40 to contain Afghan side but due to bad weather their later order batters were unable to reach their target and finally after the game there was an argument between Afghan players and two umpires but match referee Pradeep Jayaprakash settled everything to finish the game.
Earlier Sri Lanka A invited to bat first and openers Lahiru Udara and Nishan Madushka added 43 runs stand in 9.5 overs .Udara who scored 17 in 35 balls with 3 fours was first to out while Bilal Sami made breakthrough. Nishan Madushka the Sri Lanka Test opener together with Kamil Mishara 99 runs second wicket stand to build up the innings with more confidence. Madushka completed his 50 in 61 balls with 4 boundaries finally out for 72 in 82 balls with 7 fours while Mishara was unfortunately out 2 runs away from a well deserved half century hit 4 fours in his 56 ball innings.
The experienced Nuwanidu Fernando who is the deputy skipper of the side played attractive innings to increase the total Fernando reached his 50 in just 52 balls with 5 fours and a six continued his innings until the last over. Nuwanidu hit beautiful knock of 83 in 67 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes while Dushan Hementha hit useful 20 in 16 balls with a four and a six guided to pass the 300 mark and finally Sri Lanka A made 304 for 8 wickets in 50 overs with a run rate of 6.08.
Two paceman Mohammed Saleem 3 for 63 and Bilal Sami 4 for 51 took bowling honours for Afghanistan “A” team.
Two teams will meet in their second ODI tomorrow at the same venue.
Chief scores
Sri Lanka ‘A’ 304 for 8 wickets in 50 overs (Nishan Madushka 17, Lahiru Udara 17, Kamil Mishara 48, Nuwanidu Fernando 83, Pavan Ratnayake 10, Sahan Arachchige 18, Dushan Hementha 20, Mohammed Saleem 3/63, Bilal Sami 4/51, Qais Ahmed 1/53)
Afghanistan ‘A’ 277 for 7 wickets in 48 overs (Riaz Hassan 100, Darwish Rasool 75, Shahidullah 20,Ikram Alikhil 13, Farmanullah 20*, Qais Ahmed 28, Sahan Arachchige 3/40, Mohammed Shiraz 1/29, Chamika Gunasekara 1/77, Chamika Karunaratne 1/49, Dushan Hementha 1/41)
Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Hambantota