Kashif, Khurram Dazzle as Shaheens Dominate Sri Lanka ‘A’

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan Shaheens’ pace duo, Kashif Ali and Khurram Shahzad, took nine wickets between them to dismiss Sri Lanka ‘A’ for a mere 115 on the opening day of the first four-day match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

At stumps, Pakistan Shaheens trailed by 49 runs, having scored 66-2 in 24 overs.

Play was cut short due to bad light, with only 57.1 overs possible on day one. After opting to field first, Pakistan Shaheens quickly put Sri Lanka ‘A’ on the back foot. 

Kashif Ali dismantled the visitors’ batting lineup with impressive figures of 5-31 in 12 overs, while Test pacer Khurram Shahzad supported with 4-32 in 10.1 overs.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ stumbled early, losing four wickets for just 14 runs. Skipper Pasindu Sooriyabandara (28 off 40 balls, 1×4) and Sonal Dinusha (30 off 66 balls, 2x4s) provided some resistance, forming a 51-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Hussain Talat broke the stand. By lunch, Sri Lanka ‘A’ had reached 90-6 but quickly lost their remaining wickets, adding just 25 runs to their total.

In response, Pakistan Shaheens lost skipper Mohammad Huraira in the seventh over to Test pacer Vishwa Fernando. 

Opener Abdul Faseeh contributed 26 runs off 60 balls, including two boundaries, before falling to Wanuja Sahan in the 20th over. Faseeh’s partnership with fellow southpaw Ali Zaryab added 34 runs for the second wicket. 

Ali Zaryab (18 not out off 49 balls, 2x4s) and Mohammad Suleman (11 not out off 18 balls, 2x4s) were unbeaten at the close of play.

The match will resume on day two at 9:15 am, with Pakistan Shaheens looking to build a lead over Sri Lanka ‘A.’

Scores in Brief:

Sri Lanka ‘A’: 115 all out in 33.1 overs (Sonal Dinusha 30, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 28; Kashif Ali 5-31, Khurram Shahzad 4-32).

Pakistan Shaheens: 66-2 in 24 overs (Abdul Faseeh 26, Ali Zaryab 18 not out, Mohammad Suleman 11 not out; Wanuja Sahan 1-8, Vishwa Fernando 1-14).