Naseem and Shahzad destroy Sri Lanka's first innings

Pakistan ‘A’ team made superb batting display to score 394 while Sri Lanka ‘A’ team were struggling with 64 for nine wickets after second day’s play of the four-day match played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

The pace duo Naseem Shah (4 for 25) and Khurram Shahzad (3 for 10) did early damage to struggling Sri Lanka’s first innings and they are behind with a trail of 330 runs, former National Under 19 skipper Nipun Dhananjaya (17) and spinner Suminda Lakshan (29) were the only two batters able to complete double figures while other batters including Skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamil Mishara, Nuwanidu Fernando and Sammu Ashan failed to impress with the bat.

The experience paceman Naseem Shah who has taken a five-wicket haul in the first game once again came up with a good spell well supported by Khurram Shahzad, who shared seven wickets between them.

Earlier, two centuries were established by opener Abdhulah Safique (117 runs with 18 fours and a six) and Agha Saiman (103 runs with 13 boundaries) helped build up their innings to a comfortable total of 394.

The 21-year-old paceman Chamika Gunasekara took his first-class career-best figures of 6 for 83 for Sri Lanka ‘A ‘side, while Mohammad Shiraz, Himesh Ramanayake, and Suminda Lakshan shared one wicket each.

Chief scores

Pakistan ‘A: 394 all out in 106 overs (Abdullah Safique 117, Kamran Ghulam 45, Agha Saiman 103, Chamika Gunasekara 6/83, Mohammad Shiraz 1/64, Himesh Ramanayake 1/56, Suminda Lakshan 1/95)

Sri Lanka ‘A’: 64/9 at close in 21 overs (Nipun Dhananjaya 17,Suminda Lakshan 29, Naseem Shah 4/25, Khurram Shahzad 3/10)