Sri Lanka A win close contest
Wed 6 Jul 2016
REPORT | By Harry Josephs
An intriguing day lay ahead at the Fischer County Ground, with Pakistan A requiring 116 runs with five wickets in hand.
Similarly to yesterday the weather was good and it looked ideal conditions to bat with the wicket playing well.
Opener Jahid Shaukat and nightwatchman Azizullah started the day at the crease. Jaahid had stuck around whilst wickets were falling in the final session yesterday and Sri Lanka A must have felt he was the key wicket to take.
Jahid and Azizullah shared a partnership of 38 in just over 18 overs before Jaahid went caught behind driving expansively off Asitha Fernando for 38.
Two overs later, with just five runs added to the score Azizullah also departed for 11. The wicket of Jahid had bought dangerman Mohammad Nawaz to the wicket and alongside wicketkeeper Mohammad Hasan started to build a partnership.
However, with the score on 91 Nawaz was bowled by the impressive Sachith Pathirana, who claimed his third wicket in the innings.
Play resumed after lunch with Pakistan A 108-8, with Mohammad Hasan on 17 not out and Hasan Ali 4 not out.
Shortly after lunch Mohammad Hasan went lbw to Asitha Fernando (pictured), who took his fourth wicket of the day. Mohammad Hasan had made 24 when his innings came to an end.
Shortly after Hasan Ali was bowled for 8 by Asitha Fernando, who was the pick of the Sri Lanka A bowlers taking 5-33 of 9.1 overs, on what was his first-class debut.
Sri Lanka A won by 33 runs and the two teams now move on to play a further game at Worcestershire next week.
Thank you to both teams for providing such a good contest that was played in excellent spirits. We would also like to extend our thanks to umpires Neil Bainton and Steve Gale. The next game at the Fischer County Ground is on Friday against Derbyshire Falcons in the NatWest T20 Blast.
