Udawatte leads way for Sri Lanka A
Sun 3 Jul 2016
A number of batsmen made useful contributions as Sri Lanka A scored 299 on the first day of the tourist game against Pakistan A at the Fischer County Ground.
Mahela Udawatte (pictured) top-scored with 64, other batsmen chipped in, and a total of 52 extras helped the cause before Pakistan A replied with 20-0.
Seamer Azizullah claimed an early wicket as Madawa Warnapura (1) edged to Fakhar Zaman at second slip before Udara Jayasundera and Udawatte shared 42 for the second wicket. Opener Jaysundera (17) was then bowled by Hasan Ali, who went on to claim 4-63, to leave the score at 46-2.
Udawatte and Roshene Silva shared 59 before lunch, which was taken with the score at 105-2 after 25 overs.
The left-handed Udawatte moved to an attractive half-century from 72 balls courtesy of a ninth four but the stand ended on 104 when he nicked the lively Ali to Mohammad Hasan. Ali then picked up a third wicket after rapping captain Ashan Priyanjan on the pads.
Silva fell two short of 50 when getting a touch behind to Nawaz off a Mir Hamza delivery and Sri Lanka A were 210-5 at the tea interval with Minod Bhanuka and Sachith Pathirana on 20 and 17 respectively.
The left-handed duo stretched their partnership to 73 in the evening session before Pathirana, who scored 45, picked out Azizullah at long-off as he attempted to hit the off-spin bowling of captain Babar Azam for a maximum.
Pakistan A then wrapped up the innings quickly with Prabath Jayasuriya (10) bowled by Hamza, wicket-keeper Minod Bhanuka (32) was caught at mid-on off slow left armer Mohammad Nawaz, Lahiru Gamage (11) edged Hasan to Sharjeel Khan at first slip, while Vishwa Fernando (14) was bowled by Nawaz.
Khan (13*) and Jahid Shaukat (4*) gave Pakistan A a solid start to their reply in the five overs before stumps were drawn.
