Sri Lanka ‘A’ smell victory after run spree at Abu Dhabi

Friday, 2 May 2025 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Centurions (from left): Nuwanidu Fernando, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pavan Rathnayake

One-off 4-day test against Afghanistan ‘A’

Nuwanidu, Pasindu and Pavan join run parade with centuries

Sri Lanka ‘A’ batsmen went on a run spree at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi racking up an impressive 376-4 declared in their second innings to push their overall lead beyond 600 runs against Afghanistan ‘A’ on the third day of the one-off 4-day unofficial test yesterday.

Following centuries by Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha in the first innings, it was the turn of Nuwanidu Fernando, skipper Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pavan Rathnayake to exhibit their talents by scoring centuries apiece as Sri Lanka ‘A’ took a complete stranglehold of the match.

Nuwanidu unbeaten overnight on 66 went on to complete his 13th first-class hundred – 102 off 123 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) and shared a second wicket stand of 138 with Kamil Mishara (53 off 80 balls, 5 fours). No sooner than Pasindu and Pavan had completed their respective centuries, Sri Lanka ‘A’ closed their innings. Both batsmen were unbeaten on 100 with Pasindu getting to his 12th first-class hundred off 133 balls (8 fours) and Pawan to his 10th off 106 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes). Their unbroken fifth wicket partnership was worth 189. Afghanistan ‘A’ left with the improbable task of chasing 615 for victory were struggling to avoid defeat at 132-3 with first innings destroyer Isitha Wijesundara once again amongst the wickets finishing with 2/34.

After losing their first three wickets for 27, Afghanistan ‘A’ mounted strong resistance in the form of an unfinished 105-run stand between skipper Darwish Rasooli (59* off 91 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and Afsar Zazai (51* off 80 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes). Afghanistan still trail by a massive 483 runs with seven second innings wickets in hand going into the fourth and final day today.

Scores:

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 406 and 376-4 decl. (o/n 98-1) (Kamil Mishara 53, Nuwanidu Fernando 102, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 100*, Pavan Rathnayake 100*)

Afghanistan ‘A’ 168 and 132-3 at close (Darwish Rasooli 59*, Afsar Zazai 51*, Isitha Wijesundara 2/34)

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