Sri Lanka ’A’ bounce back with big win over Oman ’A’

18 July 2023 10:40 pm Views - 217

Pasindu Sooriyabandara top scored for Sri Lanka 'A' in their emphatic 217-run win over Oman 'A' in the ACC Men's Emerging Cup match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

The win ensured Sri Lanka 'A' sealed top spot in Group A ahead of Bangladesh 'A', despite their defeat to Afghanistan 'A' last Saturday. 

They will face the loser of today's match between India 'A' and Pakistan 'A', who are unbeaten in Group B, by virtue of being slotted to play the team that finishes second in that group. 

A 55-run opening partnership between Avishka Fernando and Lasith Croospulle get Sri Lanka 'A' a good start, but three wickets in the space 29 runs meant the hosts were 84 for 3 in the 19th over. 

A partnership of 110 however, betweem Sooriyabandara and Sahan Arachchige gave the home team a platform from which to push from -- the partnership ending when Sooriyabandara was bowled by Aqib Ilyas midway through the 41st over. 

Sri Lanka 'A' however failed to maximize on that managing just 65 runs over the final 8.3 overs, losing another four wickets. 

The 259-run total proved more than enough however, as Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan and Lahiru Samarakoon ran through the Oman 'A' top and middle order, reducing them to 36 for 6 in the 14th over. 

All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne then cleaned off the most of the tail, taking 3 for 3 in 2 overs, before captain Wellalage closed out the innings a ball into the 18th over.

Scores:

Sri Lanka 'A' (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 60, Sahan Arachchige 48, Lasith Croospulle 42, Aqib Ilyas 4-58)

Oman 'A' 42 (Chamika Karunaratne 3-3, Dunith Wellalage 2-10, Pramod Madushan 2-6, Lahiru Samarakoon 2-21)