Kusal Mendis the acting skipper who stroked an excellent knock of 158 in 87 balls with 19 fours and 9 sixes finally retired while Sri Lanka made a challenging total of 294 all out in 46.2 overs against Afghanistan in their World Cup warm-up game which played at Guwahati, India yesterday.
Sri Lanka were invited to bat first but openers Pathum Nissanka 30 in 38 balls with 5 fours and Dimuth Karunaratne 8 in 14 balls with a four added 30 runs stand in 5.3 overs. Experienced Karunaratne was back to the pavilion caught by wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz off the bowling of spinner Mujeeb Ur Rehman in the sixth over.
The number three bat Kusal Mendiswas in good form and got full responsibility in the absence of Skipper Shanaka who has a slight injury. Sadeera Samarawickrama hit 39 in 54 balls with 4 fours and added a superb 158 runs third wicket stand to repair the innings while Samarawickrama was out bowled by Rashid Khan to finish his 54-ball innings. Dhananjaya De Silva 22 in 31 balls with 2 fours and Sri Lanka were all out for 294 in 46.2 overs. Kusal Mendis was retired to give opportunity to another player in this warm up game.
Former skipper Mohammed Nabi was the most successful bowler taking 4 for 44 in his 8 overs spell while others Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Naveen – ul Haq, Abdul Rahman and Rashid Khan shared one wicket each.
Afghanistan chasing a target of 295 was scheduled to continue their innings yesterday night.
Skipper Dasun recovering from a strain says Manager
Captain Dasun Shanaka was not taking part in yesterday’s warm-up game, as the player is recovering from a strain he experienced on his left elbow following the warm-up game vs. Bangladesh said team manager Mahinda Halangoda. Halangoda further said Shanaka is under medical treatment and is in the process of recovery. Meanwhile, Kusal Janith Perera, who had a pain on his ‘right shoulder’, during Sri Lanka’s warm-up game against Bangladesh is currently under medical treatment and is in the process of recovery. The mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana who did not travel with the team to India last September 26 will join the squad today, added Sri Lanka team Manager.
Sri Lanka will compete in their first World Cup game against South Africa in Delhi on October 7 and the full-strength team is expected to play this game.
Meanwhile, in case of players’ injury, there is a stand-by player Chamika Karunaratne already with the team in India and after getting approval from the World Cup Technical Committee Karunaratne will be added to the squad to replace an injured player.
Chief scores
Sri Lanka 294 all out in 46.2 overs Pathum Nissanka 30,Kusal Mendis 158 (retired hurt ),Sadeera Samarawickrama 39,Charith Asalanka 12, Dhananjaya de Silva 22, Mohammed Nabi 4/44 Vs Afghanistan
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