The 1st of 3 Unofficial Tests between Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Bangladesh ‘A’ ended in a draw today. Sri Lanka ‘A’ scored 262 runs for the 2nd innings after restricting Bangladesh ‘A’ to 414 early in the day. Bangladesh resumed their 1st innings on 360 for 4 before losing 6 wickets for just 54 runs today.
National cap Lakshan Sandakan started the fight back for Sri Lanka ‘A’, picking up the wicket of Zakir Hasan in the 8th over of the day. Meanwhile Sabbir Rahman who was on 144 at stumps on Day 3, went onto complete a brilliant 150 before becoming the 2nd victim of Sandakan of the day.
Read : Mosaddek-Sabbir double century stand dents SL ‘A’ bowlers
The Bangladesh ‘A‘ score was 394 when Rahman got out as the 6th wicket for 165. The remaining 4 wickets fell for just 20 runs. The 2 specialist spinners for Sri Lanka ‘A’ Lakshan Sandakan and Prabath Jayasuriya took 2 wickets each out of the final 4. Sandakan ended up claiming a valuable fifer while Jayasuirya ended up with 3 wickets.
With a lead of 35 runs the Sri Lanka ‘A’ openers, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Milantha came out to start off the 2nd innings. The duo had scored 93 runs for the 1st wicket when Milantha got out for 30 in the 19th over.
Lahiru Thirimanne and skipper Karunaratne compiled a massive partnership of 162 runs for the 2nd wicket. Karunaratne went onto score 161 registering the 3rd 150+ score of the match and second by the tourists.
Read : Youngsters rally around Thirimanne as SL ‘A’ score 449
Lahiru Thirimanne was unbeaten on 67 along with Ashan Priyanjan when the match was stopped an hour early after the two captains agreed to settle for a draw. Sri Lanka were 297 runs ahead when proceedings came to an end.
Dimuth Karunaratne’s batting performances in both innings, suggests that he is well and truly prepared to don the Sri Lanka Test cap once again, against South Africa next month. Lahiru Thirimanne and Lakshan Sandakan also made a statement through their brilliant performances in this 4-day game, that they also deserve a place in the national test squad.
Brief Scores
1st Innings
SL ‘A’ 449/8d (131.1) Lahiru Thirimanne 168, Charith Asalanka 90, Sammu Ashan 70, Dimuth Karunaratne 60, Khaled Ahmed 4/92, Abu Hider 2/69
Ban ‘A’ 414/10 (135) Sabbir Rahman 165, Mosaddek Hossain 135, Lakshan Sandakan 5/108, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/83, Charith Asalanka 1/41, Nisala Tharaka 1/68
2nd Innings
SL ‘A’ 262/2 (57) Dimuth Karunaratne 161, Lahiru Thirimanne 67*
