Exciting final day awaits at FCG

An enthralling day’s cricket has left the match between Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A right in the balance going into the final day at the Fischer County Ground.

Conditions looked ideal for batting with a good pitch and some sunshine but the bowlers were on top today, with 17 wickets falling in total to a mixture of seam, swing and spin.

Pakistan A were bowled out for 277 before Azizullah (pictured) and Mohammad Nawaz each took four wickets to restrict Sri Lanka A to 131 all out in their second innings.

That looked to have put Pakistan A in the driving seat but their pursuit of 154 did not go smoothly, Sri Lanka A hitting back to leave their opponents 38-5 at stumps.

The Pakistan A innings finished quickly as Azizullah was caught behind by Minod Bhanuka off Lahiru Gamage and Nawaz, who top-scored with 68, was lbw to the impressive Asitha Fernando. 

The final two batsmen to be dismissed then went on to play a pivotal role during the afternoon.

Opener Udara Jayasundera had to retire hurt after leaving one that rapped him on the glove while Mahela Udawatte, who impressed in the first innings, was then lbw to Azizullah.

Madawa Warnapura and Roshene Silva advanced the score to 47-1 at lunch before Pakistan A enjoyed a fine afternoon session, taking four wickets for the cost of just 50 runs in 31 overs.

Warnapura played Azizullah on to his wicket as part of a spell where the bowler took 1-0 from five overs, before Silva was extremely well taken by Sharjeel Khan at first slip off Bilawal Bhatti.

Left arm seamer Mir Hamza then dismissed captain Ashan Priyanjan courtesy of a regulation catch at first slip, the ball looping up to Umar Siddiq, who was in that position after Khan took a nasty blow to the knee.

Nawaz then trapped Jayasundera in front with one that drifted in to trap him right in front, the opener having returned at the fall of the third wicket.

A key breakthrough was made as Minod Bhanuka advanced to Nawaz and picked out Khan at long-on, the score being 118-6 at that point.

The innings was wrapped up quickly as Sri Lanka A slipped from 130-6 to 131 all out. Nawaz trapped Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Gamage in front before Azizullah pinned Vishwa Fernando in front before bowling Asitha Fernando.

Remarkably it was with their final two balls bowled, so the duo will both be on a hat-trick in the next game!

Vishva Fernando struck two important early blows for Sri Lanka A, bowling left handed duo Khan and Fakhar Khan.

Things did not improve as Asitha Fernando trapped skipper Babar Azam leg before before Sachith Pathirana, who was left stranded on 21 not out in Sri Lanka A’s innings, took 2-3 from three overs.

The left arm spinner bowled Umar Siddiq before Bilawal Bhatti lofted one high to mid-off in the penultimate over of the day, leaving Pakistan A a further 116 to win while Sri Lanka A require five wickets.