Paceman Nisala Tharaka finished with excellent figures of 6 for 42 as Sri Lanka ‘A’ recorded an innings and 26 run win over Afghanistan ‘A’ in their four day cricket game played at P. Sara Oval Stadium yesterday.
It was a fine team effort by Sri Lanka ‘A’ team led by Pasindu Sooriyabandara while Afghanistan ‘A in their follow on continued from 108 for 2 wickets overnight but Sri Lanka A bowlers from the beginning put more pressure while Nisala Tharaka the SSC paceman was leading the way to contain Afghan middle order and they were all out for 211, 15 minutes before lunch. Sri Lanka A celebrated this easy win with two sessions to spare on the final day.
Ijaz Ahmed top scored with 54 in 100 balls with 7 fours and a six while overnight batter Imran who scored 53 in 113 balls with 7 fours and six.
In fact Imran was clean bowled by Nisala Tharaka while Ijaz Ahmed was stumped by Vishad Randika off the bowling of off Spinner Nishan Pieris. Naveed Zadran the paceman who came to bat at number eight stroked a quick fire knock of 34 in 22 balls with 5 sixes but that was not enough to avoid an innings defeat.
Manoj Mendis the match referee handed over champion trophy to skipper Pasindu Sooriyabandara after this four day game while Sri Lanka A team finished with a 3-2 series win at the 5 ODI series and Sri Lanka ODI deputy skipper Nuwanidu Fernando received the winning trophy from match referee Manoj Mendis at the presentation ceremony.
Good expourse for Sri Lanka ‘A’ players, says head coach Avishka
Winning both ODI series and four day game against Afghanistan ‘A’ is happy as a coach but result is never mind at this level ‘A ‘team series said Sri Lanka A team coach Avishka Gunawardena in an exclusive interview with the Daily News after the match yesterday.
We had to play five ODIs at Hambantota and four day game at P.Sara Oval and overall my players did really well .As the Sri Lanka ‘A’ coach my duty is to produce best skills of the players. Today there are very busy schedule for cricketers and I think organising this type ofSri Lanka ‘A’ series is very important for the emerging cricketers and they have another one step to enter the National team. We hope definitely 3-4 players from this team can enter National team very soon said Avishka Gunawardena the former National left hand opener.
these players have talent and we have to guide properly to bring them fto the National level said Avishka Gunawardena.
Afganistan ‘A’ team is very strong while they had experienced players who played for National side and our players got experience added Avishka
Chief scores
Sri Lanka ‘A’ 435 all out (Sonal Dinusha 145, Wanuja Sahan 75)
Afghanistan ‘A’ 198 all out (Imran 62, Bahir Shah 23, Rahmanullah 17, Ijaz Ahmed 28, Abdul Hadi 45, Milan Ratnayake 1/46, Wanuja Sahan 5/58, Nishan Pieris 3/37, Sonal Dinusha 1/13) and 211 all out (Ihsanullah 27, Imran 53, Ijaz Ahmed 54, Abdul Hadi 19, Naveed Zadran 34, Nisala Tharaka 6/42, Nishan Pieris 2/63, Wanuja Sahan 1/51, Sonal Dinusha 1/23)a
