Karnain bowls Lanka U-23 to victory

By Leslie FERNANDO

CRICKET: S. H. Uvasul Karnain (22 years) - the boy whom the Sri Lanka cricket selectors didn't want to include in the under 23 team that toured Pakistan in January 1984 but was sent to Pakistan later on a 'SOS' call, turned out to be the match winner for the Sri Lanka team in the second one-day international against New Zealand at Moratuwa.

It was a great day for the youngsters as Karnain and 20-year-old Test player Arjuna Ranatunga - another member of the under-23 team that toured Pakistan, did the star-turn to bring Sri Lanka its only success against the tourists.

Arjuna Ranatunga continued his good form against the visitors and made 50 not out while Karnain made 28 and then captured 5 for 26 the best performances by any Sri Lankan bowler against the visitors on the tour. Karnain was named 'Man of the Match.' Sri Lanka gained a 41-run win made possible by these two players along with Somachandra de Silva.

Put into bat, Sri Lanka was badly placed with 112 for eight wickets. Arjuna Ranatunga and Somachandra de Silva (18 not out) were then associated in a unbeaten partnership of 45 runs which helped Sri Lanka to make 157 for eight in its reduced quota of 40 overs.

Sri Lanka were without its star batsman Roy Dias but things were somewhat evened as New Zealand also played without the Star John Reid.

Both Dias and Reid were injured in the third Test which New Zealand won by an innings and 61 runs.

New Zealand never seemed to be in the hunt for victory, as they were tied down by Karnain and Arjuna Ranatunga, Karnain claimed those five wickets in the permitted 8 overs. Ranatunga had 3 for 23 also off 8 overs with a maiden.

The visitors were somewhat annoyed by the attitude of the two umpires who decided to stop the game for bad light.

The light was certainly not bad enough for a stoppage, but play resumed almost immediately and though the light was fading, Sri Lanka was able to snatch victory.

New Zealand was dismissed for the lowest score on the tour - 116 in 34 overs.

Sri Lanka: 157 for eight in 40 overs (A. Ranatunga 50 not out, U. Karnain 28)

New Zealand: 116 in 34 overs (Karnain 5 for 26, Ranatunga 3 for 23)

New Zealand signed off its one month tour of Sri Lanka with a 86-run victory in the third and final one-day International in Colombo to win the series 2-1. New Zealand had won the Test series 2-0.