Dhananjaya, Vithanage drive SL A

Thursday, 14 May 2015 00:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

LEAD

Sri Lanka A rode on a firm opening partnership led by Dhananjaya de Silva’s 96, and a solid contribution from Kithuruwan Vithanage, to 244 for 4 on the first day of the second unofficial Test in Pallekele. De Silva and Udara Jayasundera made 101 for the first wicket before Zia-ul-Haq had Jasundera lbw for 42. Left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar made a second breakthrough not long after, but de Silva and Vithanage put on a 56-run stand for the third wicket to stabilise the hosts’ advance.

Ashan Priyanjan was run out for 5, before Vithanage and Kusal Perera closed out the day with an unbroken 49-run stand. Perera was typically brisk, hitting 21 from the 22 balls he faced to follow his run of four aggressive tons from five innings. Three Pakistan A bowlers picked up a wicket each, with Imad Wasim’s left-arm spin having removed de Silva. The first unofficial Test had ended in a draw, in Colombo.

Chief Scores: Sri Lanka A 244 for 4 (Dhananjaya 96, Jayasundera 42, Wasim 1-29) v Pakistan A