Pacies give Pakistan ‘A’ 1-0 lead in unofficial ODI series

Pakistan ‘A’ fast-bowler Khurram Shahzad (centre) celebrates the wicket of Ashen Bandara for six in the first unofficial ODI against Sri Lanka ‘A’ at Dambulla yesterday. 

Pakistan ‘A’s three-pronged pace trio of Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Abbas Afridi took nine Sri Lanka ‘A’ wickets between them to set up an easy six-wicket win in the first unofficial ODI played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka ‘A’, invited to bat first, were bundled out for 102 by Naseem (2/26), Khurram (3/19) and Afridi (4/30). Pakistan ‘A’ lost four wickets in their run chase, reaching the target in the 22nd over.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ never recovered from a bad start, losing both openers – Lahiru Udara and Lasith Croospulle – without scoring, followed by the key wickets of Sadeera Samarawickrama (1) and Ashen Bandara (6) to Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad to be 19/4 in the eighth over.

Skipper Kamindu Mendis (34) and Sahan Arachchige (23) staged a partial recovery, putting together a stand of 50 off 76 balls for the fifth wicket, before Afridi dismissed both batsmen and cleaned up the tail.

Pakistan ‘A’, who were 66/1, suffered a mini collapse, losing 3/10, with off-spinner Ashian Daniel taking two wickets in three balls in the 18th over, but were well in control of the match.

The second unofficial ODI will be played at the same venue on Saturday.

Scores:

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 102 (32.2) (Kamindu Mendis 34, Sahan Arachchige 23, Naseem Shah 2/26, Khurram Shahzad 3/19, Abbas Afridi 4/30) lost to Pakistan ‘A’ 103/4 (21.2) (Omair Yousuf 38, Ashian Daniel 2/30)                         – (ST)