Despite putting up a sizable 215 in 49.3 overs Sri Lanka was beaten by Pakistan by 4 wickets in Pretoria in their second warm-up match of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup yesterday. The Lankans won their first warm-up match against South Africa handsomely on January 12.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Sri Lanka lost wickets regularly and it was left to  Sonal Dinusha with 68 from 87 balls and skipper Nipun Dananjaya 55 from 88 balls to revive the innings. The Lankans were undone by Tahir Hussain operating with the new ball who took 4 for 41. Abetbas Afridi chipped in with 2 for 26 and Aamir Ali 2 for 30.

Pakistan coped with Sri Lanka’s varied bowling attack following a 61-run alliance between openers Haider Ali  who made 33  and Muhammad Shehzad 24. Fahad Munir went on to capitalise on that solid foundation scoring 51 off 86 balls before retiring with Pakistan in sight of victory as Mohammad Haris struck 43 off  36 balls with 5 boundaries and Qasim Akram 29 off 28 balls for Irfan Khan and Afridi to see them home with 28 balls to spare. Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka took 3 for 21.

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka 215 All out (49.3 Overs)

(Sonal Dinusha 68, Nipun Dananjaya 55, Tahir Hossain 4/41)

Pakistan 218/6 (45.2 Overs)

(Fahad Munir 51 n.o., Mohammad Haris 43, Dilshan Madushanka 3/21)

By Srian Obeyesekere

-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-