Shaheens take sizeable lead against Sri Lanka A

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Shaheens gained a substantial 143-run first innings lead on day two of the first four-dayer against Sri Lanka ‘A’ after they were bowled out for 258 in 82.1 overs at the Pindi Stadium on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka closed the day with 77-1 in their second innings, facing a deficit of 66 runs. Gritty half-centuries from Hussain Talat (56), Rohail Nazir (55) and Ali Zaryab (55) put Shaheens ahead of Sri Lanka after they resumed their first innings at 66-2.

After Mohammad Suleman and Haider Ali returned to the dugout in the 32nd over with the scorecard reading 90-4, Ali (55) and Hussain dug deep to put on 42 runs for the fifth wicket. Hussain then joined Rohail Nazir to stitch a 72-run sixth-wicket partnership to steer Shaheens out of trouble before the former departed in 65th over.

Rohail also added valuable 29 runs for the ninth wicket with Sameen Gul (13) as the duo took Shaheens total from 228-8 to 258 all out. Test fast bowler Vishwa Fernando spearheaded the Sri Lanka ‘A’ attack with four scalps while Isitha Wijesundara and Nisala Tharaka bagged two wickets each. Khurram Shahzad struck in the first over to remove Oshada Fernando for a duck. Ahan Wickramasinghe (48 not out) and Nipun Dhananjaya (23 not out) partnered for unbeaten 76-run second-wicket stand to take their team to stumps.

Scores in brief: Sri Lanka ‘A’ 115 all out, 33.1 overs (Sonal Dinusha 30, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 28; Kashif Ali 5-31, Khurram Shahzad 4-32) and 77-1, 20 overs (Ahan Wickramasinghe 48 not out, Nipun Dhananjaya 23 not out; Khurram Shahzad 1-19). Pakistan Shaheens 258 all out, 82.1 overs (Hussain Talat 56, Rohail Nazir 55, Ali Zaryab 55, Abdul Faseeh 26, Mohammad Suleman 24; Vishwa Fernando 4-44, Isitha Wijesundara 2-49, Nisala Tharaka 2-57).