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Opener Avishka Fernando and middle-order batter Sahan Arachchige's 97-run knocks ended up on the losing side as Sri Lanka A batters failed to fire in unison and lost the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 by 60 runs against Mohammad Haris-led Pakistan A. Apart from Fernando and Arachchige's 97-run knocks, no Sri Lankan batter could make an impact as Sri Lanka got all out for 262 in the run chase of 323 at P Sara Oval, Colombo.
Haris won the toss and opted to bat first. Pakistan openers got off to a cautious start but failed to convert it into a big score. Omair Yousuf led Pakistan A's fightback despite lack of support from the other end. He found the perfect partner in skipper Haris. Yousuf missed a chance to score century. He scored 88 runs from 79 balls including 10 fours and one six.
Then Haris and Mubasir Khan pushed the scoring rate. They shared a 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket from 66 balls. Haris got out in the 44th over. He scored 52 runs from 43 balls including five fours. Later, Mubasir missed his half-century as he got run out. He scored 42 runs from 45 balls including two fours and as many sixes. Towards the end of innings, cameos from Mohammad Wasim Jr and Arshad Iqbal helped Pakistan post 322 on the board for the loss of 10 wickets.
In the run chase, Sri Lanka A lost their opener Lasith Croospulle and Mnod Bhanuka early. Pasindhu Sooriyabandara disappointed as well. Sri Lanka A were 33/3 in the eighth over. Fernando and Arachchige got Sri Lanka A back on the track with 128-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Fernando missed his century as he got out stumped off Sufiyan Muqeem's bowling. He scored 97 runs from 85 balls including 12 fours and two sixes.
Ashen Bandara got off to a good start but fell to Muqeem. Skipper Dunith Wellalage failed to score quicly and got bowled by Mubasir. Arachchige lacked support from the other end. Sri Lanka A tailenders succumbed to the presure. Arachchige's fightback ended in the 45th over. He got bowled by Mubasir as well. He scored 97 runs from 109 balls including 12 fours and one six. Sri Lanka A got all out for 262 from 45.4 overs and lost the match by 60 runs.
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