KARACHI, March 20: A fine century by Wajahatullah Wasti inspired Pakistan ‘A’ to an impressive six-wicket victory over hosts Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the opening match of the triangular One-day series in Colombo on Sunday. Wajahat, the former Test opener, hit 101 as Pakistan ‘A’ reached their target of 268 with 15 balls to spare in the game played at the Nondescript Cricket Club ground. The right-hander’s 118-ball innings was laced with six fours and four sixes. Skipper Misbahul Haq made 48 off 58 balls during a third-wicket partnership of 115 with Wajahat. He struck two fours and one six. Earlier, Bazid Khan belted eight boundaries in contributing 40 off 44 balls while adding 64 for the second wicket with Wajahat.
Hasan Raza (34 off 38 balls, one six) and Faisal Iqbal (24 off 22 balls, one four) then shared an unbroken stand of 52 to end the match.
Sri Lanka ‘A’, who won the toss, were guided to their total of 267 for five in 50 overs by an unbeaten 116 by Michael Vandort, who put on 125 for the fourth-wicket with fellow ex-Test left-hander Russel Arnold.
In fact, it was a good recovery by the home team after it had lost three wickets for five runs in the space of 14 deliveries to medium-pacer Yasir Arafat.
Vandort’s 148-ball knock contained 11 fours and one six. Arnold, meanwhile, stroked eight fours in his 86-ball innings. Wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene also played a useful knock of 26 off 25 balls while helping Vandort add 67 for the unfinished partnership of 67 for the sixth-wicket.
England ‘A’ enter the competition on Monday when they face the hosts at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium.
Scoreboard
SRI LANKA ‘A’:
M.G. Vandort not out 116
W.S. Jayantha c Zulqarnain b Yasir 28
W.M.G. Ramyakumara b Yasir 2
J. Mubarak c Shahid b Yasir 0
R.P. Arnold c Zulqarnain b Imran 64
S.H.T. Kandamby c Imran b Ashar 2
H.A.P.W. Jayawardene not out 26
EXTRAS (LB-14, W-9, NB-6) 29
TOTAL (for five wkts, 50 overs) 267
FALL OF WKTS: 1-66, 2-71, 3-71, 4-196, 5-200.
DID NOT BAT: C.M. Bandara, M.T.T. Mirando, M.M.M. Suraj, C.R.D. Fernando.
BOWLING: Shahid Nazir 10-0-49-0; Abdul Rauf 8-0-55-0 (4nb, 3w); Yasir Arafat 10-0-52-3 (4w); Imran Tahir 10-0-46-1 (2nb); Ashar Zaidi 10-2-36-1 (1w); Wajahatullah Wasti 2-0-15-0.
PAKISTAN ‘A’:
Ashar Zaidi lbw b Fernando 8
Wajahatullah Wasti b Kandamby 101
Bazid Khan c Bandara b Mirando 40
Misbahul Haq c Mubarak b Bandara 48
Hasan Raza not out 34
Faisal Iqbal not out 24
EXTRAS (W-10, NB-4) 14
TOTAL (for four wkts, 47.3 overs) 269
FALL OF WKTS: 1-15, 2-79, 3-194, 4-217.
DID NOT BAT: Yasir Arafat, Zulqarnain Haider, Imran Tahir, Shahid Nazir, Abdul Rauf.
