By Srian Obeyesekere

Opening batsman Oshada Fernando stroked a brilliant 111 off 127 balls hitting 18 boundaries in a Sri Lanka Board XI total of 196 to which Pakistan had replied with 160 for 3 on the opening day of the two-day warm-up match at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium on Tuesday.

Fernando’s innings was literally a one man show as the rest caved in a measured display of stroke making as the rest caved in against a hostile Pakistan bowling attack fronted by Shaheen Afridi who claimed 3 for 36. He was well supported by Hasan Ali 3 for 22, Abrar Ahmed 2 for 51, Aamer Jamal 2 for 33. Skipper Kamindu Mendis scored 29, Lakshitha Munasinghe 21 and Nipun Dhananjaya and Milan Rathnayake 17 each respectively.

The highlight of the Pakistan innings was Shan Masood who scored an aggressive 83 runs off just 67 balls, inclusive of nine boundaries and three sixes. Imam ul Haq made 36 runs off 75 deliveries, while Abdullah Shafique made 25 runs off 44 balls.  Skipper Babar Azam was unbeaten on 14 off 33 balls and Saud Shakeel on 0.

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka Board XI 196 (46.3 Overs)

(Oshada Fernando 113, Kamindu Mendis 21, Nipun Dhananjaya 14, Milan Rathnayake 15, Lakshitha Munasinghe 10, Shaheen Afridi 3 for 37, Hasan Ali 3 for 22, Abrar Ahmed 2 for 51, Aamer Jamal 2 for 33.

Pakistan 160/3 (37 Overs)

(Shan Masood 83, Imam-ul-Haq 36, Abdullah Shafique 25, Babar Azam n.o. 14, Saud Shakeel n.o. 0, Lakshitha Munasinghe 2 for 39, Kavishka Anjula 1 for 27)