RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka batters ‘A’ Sonal Dinusha and Pavan Rathnayake hit sparkling centuries as their second and final four-dayer against Pakistan Shaheens ended in a draw here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Dinusha returned unbeaten on 116 and Rathnayake remained 100 not out as the visitors, resuming their second innings at 157-4, declared at 260-4 to set Shaheens a target of 284. When the match ended, the hosts were 156-3.

Dinusha, who had scored an unbeaten 85 in the first innings, had started the day at 51 and added another 65 runs on the final day. His fourth first-class century in his 41st match came off 141 balls and included nine fours. Overall, he faced 184 balls and hit 10 fours.

Rathnayake had started the day at 64 before registering his seventh first-class century in 38 matches. He faced 198 balls and hit eight fours.

The two batters had come together when Sri Lanka ‘A’ were tottering at 46-4. Their 214 runs unbeaten fifth-wicket stand came off 369 balls and not only steered the team to safety but also allowed them to set the home team a stiff target.

When the match was called off, Shaheens had recovered from 67-3 as Mohammad Suleman hit 66 not out off 121( three fours and a six), while Haider Ali scored 43 not out as the two batters put on 89 runs for the unfinished fourth-wicket partnership. Ali Zaryab contributed 31.

The two sides will also feature in a three-match one-day series to be played at the same venue on Nov 25, 27 and 29.

Scores in brief:

SRI LANKA ‘A’ 310 in 79 overs (Sonal Dinusha 85 not out, Wanuja Sahan 63; Khurram Shahzad 6-30, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 2-100) and 260-4 (decl.) in 76 overs (Sonal Dinusha 116 not out, Pavan Rathnayake 100 not out; Ahmed Bashir 2-65); PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 287 in 98 overs (Abdul Faseeh 59, Mohammad Suleman 40, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 39; Wanuja Sahan 5-74) and 156-3 in 45 overs (Mohammad Suleman 66 not out, Haider Ali 43 not out, Ali Zaryab 31).

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2024