KARACHI, May 3: A brilliant century by Mohammad Hafeez was instrumental in Pakistan ‘A’ reaching final of the EurAsia Cricket Series in Abu Dhabi with a resounding eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Opening batsman Hafeez brightened his prospects of being recalled into the senior squad with a polished 132-ball 105 that featured 11 fours after Pakistan ‘A’ were set 210 for victory at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Hasan Raza, the Pakistan ‘A’ skipper, hit 62 off 68 deliveries while adding 110 for the unbroken third-wicket partnership with Hafeez. His knock was spiced with seven boundaries and one six.
Shahid Yousuf contributed a useful 26 during the 79-run partnership for the second wicket after Yasir Hameed was bowled by Dilhara Lokuhettige for just eight.
Earlier, Sri Lanka ‘A’ posted a modest total of 209 after their captain Avishka Gunawardene won the toss and decided to bat first.
The Lankans never really threatened to dominate the Pakistan bowling. The only partnership of note was provided by Malinda Warnapura and Kaushal Silva.
The third-wicket pair put on 89 after openers Gunawardene and Ian Daniel fell to left-arm seamer Samiullah Niazi with only 31 runs on the board.
Warnapura hit 49 off 71 balls with six boundaries while Silva contributed a 55-ball 41, including five hits to the fence.
Pakistan ‘A’ bowlers lack control in direction as no less than 27 wides were conceded.
Pakistan ‘A’, who finished with 18 points in Group ‘C’, take on the unbeaten India ‘A’ in the final scheduled for Friday.
Scoreboard
SRI LANKA ‘A’:
D.A. Gunawardene c Hasan b Sami 1
G.I. Daniel c Zulqarnain b Sami 14
B.S.M. Warnapura run out 49
J.K. Silva c Zulqarnain b Umar 41
L.P.C. Silva b Umar 0
G. Wijekoon c Shahid b Mansoor 17
H.G.J.M. Kulatunga c Y. Arafat b Mansoor 2
U.D.U. Chandana run out 6
L.H.D. Dilhara c Y. Hameed b Y. Arafat 33
S. Weerakoon not out 3
W.C.A. Ganegama lbw b Y. Arafat 1
EXTRAS (LB-10, W-27, NB-5) 42
TOTAL (all out, 41 overs) 209
FALL OF WKTS: 1-29, 2-31, 3-120, 4-120, 5-158, 6-158, 7-160, 8-184, 9-204.
BOWLING: Umar Gul 9-0-45-2 (2nb, 7w); Samiullah Niazi 6-0-22-2 (3w); Yasir Arafat 9-0-54-2 (1nb, 3w); Mohammad Hafeez 7-0-30-0; Mansoor Amjad 10-1-48-2 (2nb, 6w).
PAKISTAN ‘A’:
Mohammad Hafeez not out 105
Yasir Hameed b Dilhara 8
Shahid Yousuf c and b Warnapura 26
Hasan Raza not out 62
EXTRAS (LB-2, W-6, NB-2) 10
TOTAL (for two wkts, 45.2 overs) 211
FALL OF WKTS: 1-22, 2-101.
DID NOT BAT: Bazid Khan, Misbahul Haq, Mansoor Amjad, Yasir Arafat, Zulqarnain Haider, Samiullah Niazi, Umar Gul.
BOWLING: Wijekoon 6-0-26-0 (2nb, 1w); Dilhara 5-1-23-1 (1w); Weerakoon 9.2-1-48-0 (1w); Ganegama 6-0-42-0 (1w); Warnapura 9-0-39-1; Chandana 10-0-31-0.
UMPIRES: Jasbir Singh (India) and S.S. Prasad (Singapore).
TV UMPIRE: Iftikhar Ahmed (Pakistan).
MATCH REFEREE: Mohammad Hafeez.
