ISLAMABAD: A sparkling century by Haider Ali and an all-round performance by Sharoon Siraj powered Pakistan Shaheens to a comfortable 108-run victory over Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first 50-over match here at the Islamabad Club on Monday.

Haider scored 108 and Abdul Samad contributed 56, lifting Shaheens to an imposing 306-7 in their allotted 50 overs. Sharoon then followed up his 48-ball 42 by claiming 3-21, as Sri Lanka ‘A’ were bowled out for 198 in 39.4 overs.

Batting at number four, Haider faced 94 balls, striking eight fours and six sixes. He reached his half-century off 59 deliveries with two boundaries and three sixes, before accelerating to reach his century off 90 balls with seven fours and six sixes.

Haider added 120 runs from 119 balls for the fourth wicket with Samad, whose 63-ball knock included five fours and a six. Their partnership rescued Shaheens from a shaky position at 94-3 after being put into bat.

The hosts scored 46-1 in the first powerplay and capitalised on the fourth-wicket stand to accelerate late in the innings. They added 85 runs in the final 10 overs, with Mohammad Haris hitting an unbeaten 36 off 25 balls (four fours and a six) and Mohammad Imran chipping in with a quickfire 15 off 10 balls (two fours).

For Sri Lanka ‘A’, Eshan Malinga was the standout bowler with figures of 3-61, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe (2-52) and Dilshan Madushanka (2-62) also chipped in.

In reply, Sri Lanka ‘A’ struggled to build partnerships, slumping to 61-4 and later to 136-7 before being bowled out. Wickramasinghe top-scored with 47, while Sonal Dinusha (38) and Sahan Arachchige (35) provided some resistance.

Mohammad Imran Junior picked up 2-30. Sirajuddin, Mohammad Imran, Ubaid Shah, and Mehran Mumtaz each claimed one wicket to complete the comprehensive victory.

Scores in brief:

PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 306-7 in 50 overs (Haider Ali 108, Abdul Samad 56; Eshan Malinga 3-61, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 2-52); SRI LANKA ‘A’ 198 in 39.4 overs (Chamindu Wickramasinghe 47, Sonal Dinusha 38; Sharoon Siraj 3-21, Mohammad Imran Junior 2-30).

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2024