Pakistan Shaheens in Command Against Sri Lanka ‘A’ After Kashif and Khurram’s Performances

• Pakistan Shaheens’ pace bowlers, Kashif Ali and Khurram Shehzad, shared nine wickets to dismiss Sri Lanka ‘A’ for 165.
• Kashif took five wickets, Khurram took four, and Hussain Talat claimed one for the Shaheens.
• Pakistan Shaheens reached 66/2 before bad light ended play early.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Shaheens’ pace bowlers Kashif Ali and Khurram Shehzad delivered an impressive performance, sharing nine wickets to dismiss Sri Lanka ‘A’ for just 165 on the first day of the four-day match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

By the end of the day, Pakistan Shaheens were 66/2, trailing by 49 runs.

Sri Lanka ‘A’, who batted first, faced a tough start as Kashif Ali dismantled their top order, leaving them reeling at 14/4 within just 7.4 overs. Captain Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha attempted to stabilize the innings, adding 51 runs for the fifth wicket.

However, their partnership was cut short when Hussain Talat dismissed Sooriyabandara in the 20th over. Sooriyabandara contributed 28 off 40 balls, including one boundary.

By lunch, Sri Lanka ‘A’ were struggling at 90/6, with Dinusha still in play. He soon fell after the break, dismissed by Khurram in the 28th over. Dinusha was the top-scorer for Sri Lanka ‘A’ with a resilient 30 off 66 balls, hitting two boundaries. His dismissal exposed the weaker lower order, which was quickly cleaned up by the pace duo.

Kashif emerged as the standout bowler, taking five wickets, while Khurram supported with four, and Hussain Talat picked up one.

In response, Pakistan Shaheens reached 66/2 before bad light ended the day’s play early. Their innings began shakily as captain Mohammad Huraira was dismissed for seven in the seventh over. His partner, Abdul Faseeh, fell to Wanuja Sahan in the 20th over after contributing 34 runs with Ali Zaryab.

Ali Zaryab and Mohammad Suleman, unbeaten on 18 and 11, respectively, will resume Pakistan’s innings on the second day.

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