Left-handed opener Danushka Gunathilaka stroked a match-winning 76 as Sri Lanka Emerging won the first unofficial ODI beating the visiting South Africa Emerging team by 2 wickets at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Thursday.
After Angelo Perera won the toss and opted to field first, the visitors were bowled out for 201. The young fast bowling duo of Kasun Rajitha and Binura Fernando captured 3 wickets apiece for the hosts. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay managed to scalp 2 wickets.
Two down batsman Zubayr Hamza top-scored with 44 while David White and Lesiba Ngoepe made 36 and 35 respectively.
Chasing a below par target of 202, Dhananjaya De Silva and Danushka Gunathilaka put on 50 runs for the opening wicket. De Silva raced to a 19-ball 27.
The Lankans lost five wickets in 58 runs as they were 108 for 5 at one stage with slow left-arm orthodox spinner George Linde taking 4 wickets.
A sensible 63-run partnership between Gunathilaka and Chathuranga De Silva revived the hosts’ innings. Gunathilaka conceded 101 balls for his knock of 76 which had 6 fours and 3 sixes. Left-handed De Silva made 31 runs.
Sri Lanka reached the target in the 45th over with Binura Fernando steering the lower order scoring an unbeaten 19.
Sri Lanka now lead the 3-match series, 1-0 with the 2nd unofficial ODI scheduled on 22nd August at the same venue.
South Africa Emerging – 201 all out in 46.3 overs: David White 36, Zubayr Hamza 44, Lesiba Ngoepe 35, Diego Rosier 31, Binura Fernando 3/17, Kasun Rajitha 3/39, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/59.
Sri Lanka Emerging – 202/8 in 44.4 overs: Danushka Gunathilaka 76, Dhananjaya De Silva 27, Chathuranga De Silva 31, George Linde 4/30, Tshepo Moreki 2/44.
