Skipper Kusal Mendis and opening batsman Lahiru Udara struck fifties apiece to help Sri Lanka declare at 223-7 on the opening day of their 3-day warm-up match against PCB Patron’s XI at Islamabad Cricket Club yesterday.
Sri Lanka, who elected to bat after winning the toss, recovered from a difficult start after losing three wickets for just 40. Mendis led a recovery with 66 providing the backbone of the innings. He struck 11 boundaries in his 72-ball knock, maintaining an aggressive approach despite the early setbacks.
Udara anchored the innings with 65 from 105 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes. His contribution proved crucial after Pasindu Sooriyabandara fell for eight and Dinesh Chandimal departed without scoring, both to Saqib Khan.
Dhananjaya de Silva added 14 before becoming Mohammad Salman’s only victim, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 40-3.
Udara subsequently combined with Mendis to rebuild the innings adding 90 for the fourth wicket before Ali Shabbir dismissed him for 65. Shabbir later removed Sonal Dinusha for ten to finish with two wickets.
Anjala Bandara hit an unbeaten 33 off 61 balls (5 fours) before Sri Lanka closed their innings.
Saqib was the standout bowler, returning figures of 2/28 from 12overs, while Mohammad Salman and Ali Shabbir also picked up two wickets apiece.
In the remaining 15 overs, Sri Lanka hit back through Dilshan Madushanka and Milan Rathnayake to capture two Patron’s XI wickets for 43 runs by the close.
The match provides Sri Lanka with valuable preparation ahead of their upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to begin in Rawalpindi on 9 November, with the second Test in Lahore from 17 November.