Sri Lanka ‘A’ k/o host Afghanistan ‘A’, meet Ireland Wolves in final

Thursday, 24 April 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kamil Mishara led Sri Lanka ‘A’s run chase with attractive knock of 81

Player of the Match Tharindu Rathnayake

Explore Afghanistan Tri-Nation Series in Abu Dhabi

Sri Lanka ‘A’ broke the hearts of Afghanistan fans when they dealt a painful blow on the hosts by beating them by four wickets in the final league match to push them out of the final of the Explore Afghanistan Tri-Nation Series at Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ finished the league phase unbeaten winning all four matches to top the standings with 8 points. Joining them in the final will be Ireland Wolves who ended up second edging out Afghanistan ‘A’ on a better net run rate. Both teams had one win and 2 points each.

Yesterday it was a must win game for Afghanistan ‘A’ after they suffered a shock six-wicket defeat at the hands of Ireland Wolves in a league match played on Monday.

But Sri Lanka ‘A’ already qualified for the final made five changes to their side resting several key players and were still good enough to chase down Afghanistan ‘A’s total of 228-8 to win with 11 overs to spare.

Sri Lanka made five changes resting skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lahiru Udara, Dilshan Madushanka, Sahan Arachchige and Dushan Hemantha, giving other players who were on the bench an opportunity.

Kamil Mishara led Sri Lanka ‘A’s run chase with an attractive 81 off 72 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) and was supported by Acting Captain Nuwanidu Fernando (51 off 54 balls, 8 fours) in a second wicket stand of 110 off 92 balls. Pavan Rathnayake guided the side home following the dismissals of Sonal Dinusha and Milan Rathnayake for ducks with an undefeated 46 off 41 balls (5 fours, 1 six).

Earlier Sri Lanka ‘A’ did well to keep Afghanistan ‘A’ down to a score of 228-8 after inviting them to bat first. Apart from Captain Darwish Rasooli’s knock of 76 off 77 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) and 36 apiece from Ikram Alikhil and Qais Ahmad the Afghanistan ‘A’ innings failed to gain any momentum.

Ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake made inroads into the Afghanistan ‘A’ batting finishing with figures of 4/45 to take the Player of the Match award.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ will meet Ireland Wolves in the final on 25 April.

Scores: Afghanistan ‘A’ 228-8 (50) (Darwish Rasooli 76, Ikram Alikhil 36, Qais Ahmad 36*, Milan Rathnayake 2/44, Tharindu Rathnayake 4/45, Wanuja Sahan 2/33)

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 232-6 (39) (Kamil Mishara 81, Nuwanidu Fernando 51, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 20, Pavan Rathnayake 46*, Naveed Zadran 2/52, Qais Ahmad 3/40)

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