Mubarak shines in abandoned game

Rain denied the Sri Lankan bowlers another workout before the one-day series when their match against Zimbabwe A was washed out after they were dismissed for 235.

The Zimbabwe A bowlers tested the experienced Sri Lankan batsmen and they were 73 for 4 before Jehan Mubarak and Upul Tharanga steered them to a competitive total.

Mahela Jayawardene, back to lead the Sri Lankans after being rested for the four-day match against the Zimbabwe Select XI, won the toss but the top order struggled. Mahela Udawatte fell in the seventh over when he edged to the wicketkeeper and Kumar Sangakkara, who plundered 174 against the Select XI, cut to point for 5.

Admire Manyumwa struck twice in quick succession to remove Jayawardene, caught at mid-on, and Chamara Kapugedera with the score on 73. Tharanga helped add 61 for the fifth-wicket until he was stumped of Malcolm Waller, the son of former Zimbabwe batsman Andy Waller, who then picked up his second wicket when he removed Farveez Maharoof.

Waller claimed his third courtesy of a fine catch in the deep by Cephas Zhuwawo, but Mubarak ensured the innings didn't fade away as he added 38 with Muttiah Muralitharan.

Rainsford was the pick of the Zimbabwe A attack with 3 for 29 to put his name firmly in the frame for the one-day series which starts on Thursday. However, the rain prevented Vusi Sibanda from showing the selectors how he is progressing after a hip injury.