KARACHI: Kusal Perera clobbered his second century in as many matches while inspiring Sri Lanka ‘A’ to an unbeatable 2-0 lead in their three-match one-day series against the touring Pakistan ‘A’ on Wednesday.

The left-handed Perera followed up his 114 in the opening game in the eight-wicket win at Matara by making run-a-ball 110 in the second one-dayer at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota where Sri Lanka ‘A’ emerged victorious by seven runs after the game was interrupted by rain.

After Sri Lanka ‘A’, who were asked to bat first by Pakistan ‘A’ skipper Fawad Alam, had posted 265-9 in their 50 overs, the tourists were set a revised target of 221 from 40 overs under Duckworth-Lewis method.

Openers Mukhtar Ahmed (20 off 19 balls, three boundaries) and Israrullah (29 off 18, six fours) gave Pakistan ‘A’ a dream start as they put on 49 in only 5.5 overs before paceman Dushmantha Chameera dismissed both of them in the space of five runs.

Also read: Pakistan ‘A’ begin Sri Lanka trip on losing note

Khurram Manzoor then was joined by Fawad in a partnership of 135 in 25 overs, but off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal struck thrice in quick successions to put Pakistan ‘A’ under pressure.

Fawad was caught after hitting seven boundaries in making 65 off 74 deliveries. Khurram was trapped leg-before-wicket for a 90-ball 69 that included seven fours and one six before Kaushal also sent back the big-hitting Saad Nasim for two.

All-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya provided further wickets when his off-spin took care of Pakistan ‘A’ vice-captain Umar Amin (1) and Zafar Gohar (0).

Kaushal finished with three for 44 in eight overs, Jayasuriya two for 31 in eight and Chameera two for 36 from his seven overs.

Earlier, Perera slammed 15 boundaries and two sixes while sharing three successive 50-plus stands. Jayasuriya (21 off 43 balls, three fours) helped add 57 for the first wicket, Dhanuskha Gunathilaka (33 off 50, three fours) then put on 77 for the second wicket before Perera and skipper Ashan Priyanjan (25 off 36, four fours) gathered 55 together when Perera was bowled by left-arm paceman Zia-ul-Haq at the start of the 40th over.

Zia took 3-63 in 10 overs, Tabish Khan 3-55 in 10 overs, while Mir Hamza had figures of 2-49 in 10 overs.

The final game of the series is scheduled for R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday before the teams meet in three unofficial Tests at Colombo (May 6-10), Pallekele (May 13-16) and Dambulla (May 20-23).

Summarised scores:

SRI LANKA ‘A’ 265-9 in 50 overs (M.D.K.J. Perera 110, M.D. Gunathilaka 33, S.M.A. Priyanjan 25, D.A.S. Gunaratne 23, D.S.N.F.G. Jayasuriya 21; Tabish Khan 3-55, Zia-ul-Haq 3-63, Mir Hamza 2-49); PAKISTAN ‘A’ 213-7 in 40 overs (Khurram Manzoor 69, Fawad Alam 65, Israrullah 29, Mukhtar Ahmed 20; P.H.T. Kaushal 3-44, D.S.N.F.G. Jayasuriya 2-31, P.V.D. Chameera 2-36).

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2015

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