The Afghanistan ‘A’ team opener once again made an unbeaten knock of 74 in 117 balls with 5 fours, while paceman Naveed Zadran took 4 for 45 as they beat Sri Lanka A by five wickets in their fifth and final ODI played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International cricket stadium yesterday. However, Sri Lanka A won the series 3-2, with the first three matches won in a row and the last two dominated by Afghan A.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara who hit 70, in action.
The Sri Lanka A team’s batting performance was below par as they were bowled out for 197 in 43 overs, while the Afghan A team reached their target in 45 overs with five wickets in hand. Opener Riaz Hassan played his usual anchor innings and scored an unbeaten 74 while chasing a target of 198. Darwish Rasool scored 36 in 43 balls with 4 fours, skipper Shahidullah scored 47 in 68 balls with 5 fours and a six, and Nangeyalia Kharote hit an unbeaten 27 in 24 balls with 5 fours, making useful contributions to reach the target with five overs to spare.
Opener Riaz Hassan was the most successful batter of the series, hitting two centuries and a half-century. While the first ODI saw two teams in a close battle with the DLS method deciding an 8-run win for the Afghan team, that match result was the main reason to avoid an Afghan series win. However, both teams showed good fighting spirit, and other than the last game yesterday, Afghan clearly dominated from the beginning. Sri Lanka A’s top five players went back to Colombo for T-20 World Cup preparation matches, and another five were added to the squad, which also affected the team’s momentum throughout the series.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara was the only successful batter, hitting a superb 70 in 92 balls with 8 fours, but unfortunately, he was stumped by new wicketkeeper Mohammed Ishaq off the bowling of Nangeyalia Kharote in the 38th over, and Sri Lanka ‘A’ were 176 for 6 wickets at that stage. All-rounder Dushan Hementha hit 16 in 23 as a number 8 batter, but unfortunately, he got run out while Sri Lanka ‘A’ were all out for 197 in 43 overs. Naveed Zadran, the paceman, was the most successful bowler, taking 4 for 45, while Nangeyalia Kharote took 3 for 31 to restrict Sri Lanka A’s innings below 200 for the first time in this series.
Afghanistan ‘A’ skipper Ikram Alikhil did not play this game due to injury, while Shahidullah was named captain, and Mohammed Ishaq was the wicketkeeper in the absence of the regular skipper. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka ‘A’ made three changes, as Nipun Karunanayake, Nishan Pieris, and Chamika Gunasekara replaced Udith Madushan, Chamindu Wijesinghe, and Pavan Ratnayake. After this ODI series, Sri Lanka ‘A’ will meet Afghanistan ‘A’ team in their only four-day game, which will commence on May 11 at the P. Sara Oval Stadium.
Chief scores
Sri Lanka ‘A ‘ 197 all out in 43 overs Minod Bhanuka 24,Kamil Mishara 12, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 70, Nipun Karunanayake 19, Sonal Dinusha 21, Dushan Hementha 16, Naveed Zadran 4/45,Kamil Kakar 1/18, Nangeyalia Kharote 3/31, Qais Ahmed 1/43
Afghanistan ‘ A ‘ 198 for 5 wickets in 45 overs
Riaz Hassan 74 *,,Darwish Rasool 36, Shahidullah 47, Nangeyalia Kharote 27*, Mohammed Shiraz 2/23, Sonal Dinusha 1/41, Dushan Hementha 2/46
Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Hambantota