A well constructed counter attack by Kusal Perera and Nisala Tharaka

A well constructed counter attack by Kusal Perera and Nisala Tharaka helped Sri Lanka ‘A’ post 273 in their first innings after being six down for 100 at one stage against Pakistan ‘A’ in their third and final four-day encounter begun at Dambulla, yesterday. In reply Pakistan ‘A’ were 20 for no loss at stumps.
Kusal Perera and Nisala Tharaka added 124 for the seventh wicket in a rescue act. Perera who already had scored three centuries during this tour came close to another century as he lead the counter attack before exiting for 90 made off 101 balls. His knock contained 12 fours and two sixes.
Nisala Tharaka who surprised everyone with the bat gave a helping hand to Perera initially, before taking charge and went onto make 76 runs in 116 balls which included 11 fours and two sixes. Alam went onto claim 4- 40 for the tourists.
Earlier, left hander Kithuruwan Perera was unlucky to get out just 2 runs short of his half century as he was bowled by Shahzad Azam just five balls in to the second session. Opener Udara Jayasundara was the first to go as he was trapped lbw by left arm pacer Mir Hamza in the fourth over. Dhananjaya de Silva lasted only another four overs as he too was trapped lbw by Tabish Khan leaving Sri Lanka A 2-21. It was at that stage Madhawa Warnapura and Kithuruwan Vithanage added 55 for the third wicket rebuilding the innings before Madhawa was bowled by Shahzad Azam. Skipper Ashan Priyanjan lasted only 16 balls as he was bowled by his opposite counterpart Fawad Alam just before lunch.Alam struck again to remove Asela Gunaratne leaving Sri Lanka ‘A’ six down for 100 runs before Kusal started the counter attack.
Both Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Pakistan ‘A’ had two changes each for the match. For Sri Lanka left arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara came in place of off spinner Tharindu Kaushal, while left arm pace bowler Vishwa Fernando missed out for Nisala Tharaka. For Pakistan, spinner Zafar Gohar and Imad Wasim missed out for Ali Asad and Shahzad Azam respectively