Kusal the star as game ends in exhilarating draw

101

Right handed batsman Kusal Mendis made a century in the first innings and followed it up with another half century in the second but Sri Lanka Emerging fell thirty runs short of the victory as bad light brought a pre mature end to the game played against the Hyderabad President’s XI in the opening match of the Moin Ud Dowlah Tournament in India yesterday(5).

Chasing a victory target of 168 in the final session, Sri Lanka were well in track before bad light halted their progress.  Kusal  Mendis made 52 in the chase while he got good support from Minod Bhanuka(34) and Angelo Jayasinghe who remained on an unbeaten 24 when play was called off.

Earlier in the game, Hyderabad made 284 in their first innings with left arm quick Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha and Amila Aponso sharing the ten wickets to fall between them.

In reply, Sri Lanka Emerging racked up a mammoth 401/8 declared with Kusal Mendis making a heroic 156 runs off just 210 balls while national star Milinda Siriwardena was unfortunate to miss out on a century being dismissed for 93. Left handed batsman Lahiru Milantha also contributed with an unbeaten 57 towards the latter part of the innings.

Hyderabad walked out in their second innings with a lot of intent and made 284/4 declared in just over forty overs while the Sri Lanka Emerging bowlers had limited success. This set up an exciting final session before bad light halted play with Sri Lanka emerging taking major honours.

 

Sri Lanka Emerging vs Hyderabad Presidents XI

 

Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bat

1st Innings – HBP 284/10

B Anirudh      117(185)

H Agarwal      83(206)

 

Vishwa Fernando    19-04-59-04

Kasun Rajitha          15-03-34-03

Amila Fernando        30-05-82-03

 

1st Inning – Sri Lanka 401/8

Kusal Mendis            156(210)

Milinda Siriwardena   93(105)

Lahiru Milantha          57*(54)

 

Ahamed Quadri    15-01-62-04

T Ravi Teja           11-03-41-02

 

2nd Inning – HBP 284/4

B Anirudh 101(91)

H Agarwal 61(63)

 

Vishwa Fernando      10-00-64-02

Kasun Rajitha            12-00-97-1

Amila Aponso            09-00-60-01

Jefferey Vandasey    04-00-29-01

 

Target – 168

 

2nd Inning –  SL 138 for 6 (32,5 0vers)

Kusal Mendis 52(74)

Minod Bhanuka 34(44)

Angelo Jayasinghe 24*(42)

 

DB Ravi Teja    09-00-36-03