Tour match: SLBP XI fail to avoid stalemate

Hosts fall 135 runs short of target on final day to draw with Pakistanis

KARACHI: The three-day warm-up match between Pakistanis and Sri Lanka Board President’s (SLBP) XI ended in a draw as the hosts failed to reach the 264-run target set by the visitors at the Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.

Chasing a target of 264 and knowing that time was not on their side, SLBP XI tried to go for a win, but failed in their pursuit as they only managed 129-3 in 27 overs before the match ended.

Openers Upul Tharanga and Dimuth Karunaratne reached the half-century mark as they milked Pakistan’s pace attack for quick runs before retiring.

The duo put up a 95-run opening stand and it was Tharanga, who scored a 53-ball 50 with the help of eight boundaries — who withdrew first followed by Karunaratne, who scored 54 off 69 aided with eight strikes to the fence.

The only legitimate scalp of Jehan Mubarak (16) was taken by Ehsan Adil, who remained the most economical bowler, conceding 24 runs in his nine overs.

Imran Khan was plundered for 53 runs off his eight overs, while Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz conceded runs at an economy rate of 5.8 and 4.6 respectively.

Earlier, Pakistan resumed the day on 27-1, leading by 33 runs.

It turned out to be a productive first session for the visitors as Shan Masood and Azhar Ali got together to accumulate 113 runs during their second-wicket partnership.

Shan, however, was dismissed by first-innings hero Jeffrey Vandersay after the batsman had scored 69 runs off 122 balls, studded with a six and five boundaries, while Azhar retired on a personal score of 48, which had just three boundaries in the 93-ball stay.

Skipper Misbahul Haq contributed 29 runs studded with two sixes and as many fours before he fell to Vandersay.

Younus Khan opted to retire as well after a 71-ball 35, which saw him hit a six and three boundaries, while wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed failed to open his account and was picked up by Binura Fernando for a duck.

Pakistan decided to declare their innings on 257-7 after 69.4 overs, with Asad Shafiq unbeaten on 31, studded with five shots to the ropes.

Pakistan will play a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on Wednesday, followed by five ODIs and two T20Is on the tour.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2015.

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