Sri Lanka Emerging overcame early setbacks to stave off Japan by 4 wickets with 15 balls to spare in the third T20 at the Sano International Cricket Ground on Saturday to go 3-up in the 5-match series.

Chasing Japan’s 98 for victory having  restricted Japan to 97 for 9 off 20 overs, Sri Lanka Emerging was in all sorts of trouble at 2 for 1 losing Sahil Dias who was dismissed by Kohei Kubota first ball for a duck followed by Yohan Liyanage bowled by Dinesh Sandaruwan last ball of the second over, 3 for 14 after 3.5 overs Hirantha Jayasinghe lbw to Ryan Drake. Shehan Fernando staged a Lankan recovery taking the score to 54 when he was run out going for a quick run, and the fifth wicket fell for 63 before Sakuna Liyanage 26 off 27 and skipper Dellon Peiris a run a ball unbeaten 21 put the side on course to victory.

Japan’s innings did show fight in the sole effort of Kendel Kadowaki Fleming’s fiery 29-ball 43 showcased in 5boundaries and 2 over the top with only two others reaching double futures.

CHIEF SCORES;

Japan 97/9 (20 Overs)

(Kendel Kadowaki Fleming 43, Supun Nawarathna 14, Sabaoriah Ravichandran 11, Harshana Wivkramasinghe taking 2/15, Dellon Peiris 2/29, Danal Hemachandra  1/13, Sithum Disanayaka 1/15)

Sri Lanka Emerging 101/6 (17.3 Overs)

(Sakuna Liyanage 26, Sheehan Fernando 24, Dellon Peiris n.o. 21, Ranmith Jayasena 12, Imthiyaz Slaza n.o. 4, Watara Miyauchi 1/14, Dinesh Sandaruwan 1/15, Ryan Drake 1/15)