A fabulous 9 wickets victory for Sri Lanka

UAE Innings

The match commenced at the National Stadium Karachi, the famous international Cricket Venue. UAE having won the toss elected to bat. They opened the innings with Amir Hussain and Ali Poonawala against the bowling attack of Wijesiriwarkdena and D. Niroshan.

With UAE losing 5 wicket for 48 runs in 15 overs, it was not an impressive start. The first 2 wickets of Amir Hussain (3) and Ali Firoz Poonawala (5) fell at the total of 10. Nadike Kiran was the next to go with the score at 27. Mohammad Abdullah who showed some grit to stay at the crease was run out after contributing a useful 16 when the total was 48.

The UAE batsmen were not able to sustain Sri Lanka's pressure. They lost the 6th wicket at 57 in 17 overs. The two other batsmen who reached double figures were Amer Shahzad (12) and Ghalib Arif (11). UAE was all out for 85 in 35.5 overs. By clinching 4 wickets for 18 runs Damith Gunathilake emerged as the best bowler.

Sri Lanka innings

Facing an easily achievable victory target of 86 runs, Sri Lanka opened with Ishan Mutalip and Perumpuli, who was bowled by Mohammad Abdullah after scoring 7 runs. Sri Lanka lost the 1st wicket at 32. Mutalip was, however, well entrenched at the crease, He was joined by Ehsan Abeysinghe. A solid partnership between them took Sri Lanka to 77 for 1 in 14 overs.

Sri Lanka needing only 9 runs to win Mutalip (30) and Ehsan (35) were at the crease. In the next over the two partners made up the runs carrying Sri Lanka to 86 for 1 in 15 overs. With an exciting innings of 36 which included four hits to the boundary and a towering six Ehsan was the top score. He was closely followed by Mutalip who scored 32 with the help of 4 fours. Sri Lanka defeated UAE by 9 wickets.