Sri Lanka ‘A’ skipper Nishan Madushka hit a superb knock of 115, but it was in vain as Afghanistan ‘A’ recorded a thrilling 4-wicket win with 2 balls to spare in their fourth unofficial ODI cricket match played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium yesterday. In fact, this was the first win for the Afghan team in this series, but Sri Lanka A had already won the series 3-1 with one match to spare.
Afghanistan ‘A’ chased a target of 276 runs and reached their target in 49.4 overs with four wickets in hand. Afghan opener Riaz Hassan was the match winner, scoring his second century of the series with a fine knock of 106, while opener Zubaid Akbari scored a good supporting knock of 68. This remarkable open stand and solid foundation guided them to seal their first win of the series. In fact, Sri Lankan pacemen Mohammed Shiraz, Udith Madushan, and Chamindu Wijesinghe were unable to make early breakthroughs, but spinners Dushan Hementha, Wanuja Sahan, Sonal Dinusha, and Kamil Mishara had tidy spells to fight back strongly at the last over thriller.
Earlier, Sri Lanka ‘A’ was invited to bat first, but openers skipper Nishan Madushka and Minod Bhanuka were unable to
Afghanistan A opener Riaz Hassen celebrating his century.
make a good start as Minod Bhanuka, the substitute for Lahiru Udara, was sent back to the pavilion after scoring 2 in 6 balls as paceman Bilal Sami made an early breakthrough in the 3rd over.
Kamil Mishara joined Nishan Madushka, and the pair added 46 runs for the second wicket stand. Mishara was out for 24 in 33 balls with 3 fours, and Sami accounted for his second wicket. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, the hero of the previous match, couldn’t stay long, scoring 10 in 26 balls, and spinner Qais Ahmed took his wicket in the 20th over. Sri Lanka ‘A’ were 84 for 3 wickets at that stage. Pavan Ratnayake, the promising batsman, was once again not among the runs and was back to the pavilion after scoring 7 in 12 balls.
Skipper Nishan Madushka and all-rounder Sonal Dinusha came to the fore, adding a superb 137-run fifth-wicket stand, which was the most successful partnership of the match. Madushka, the experienced right-hander, completed his well-compiled century in 120 balls, while Sonal Dinusha played a good supporting role to complete his fifty. Madushka, who scored 73 in the first game, was out after scoring 115 in 127 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes, while Dinusha hit a run-a-ball 78 with 6 fours, and Bilal Sami took a good return catch to dismiss Dinusha in the 48th over.
Wanuja Sahan, the leg-spin all-rounder, hit a quick 13 in 7 balls with a four and a last-ball six, guiding them to reach 275 for 7 wickets in 50 overs.
Afghanistan ‘A’ paceman Bilal Sami was the most successful bowler, taking 3 for 54, while leg-spinner Qais Ahmed took 3 for 62.
The two teams will meet for their fifth and final ODI tomorrow at the same venue.
Chief scores
Sri Lanka ‘A’ 275 for 7 wickets in 50 overs (Nishan Madushka 115, Kamil Mishara 24, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 10, Sonal Dinusha 78, Wanuja Sahan 13*, Bilal Sami 3/54, Nangeyalia Kharote1/32, Qais Ahmed 3/62)
Afghanistan ‘A’ 276 for 6 wickets 49.4 overs ( Riaz Hassan 106, Zubaid Akbari 68, Shahidullah 39, Nangeyalia Kharote 40, Kamil Mishara 1/45, Wanuja Sahan 1/47, Dushan Hementha 2/39, Udith Madushan 1/39)
Dhammika Ratnaweera REPORTING FROM HAMBANTOTA