Vandersay impresses in drawn game
Sajeewa Jayakody
 Sri Lanka Board President's XI openers Upul Tharanga and Dimuth
Karunaratne warmed-up with fifties rookie leg-spinner Jiffrey Vandersay
picked up yet another three wickets to secure a match bag of eight
wickets on the final day of the three-day tour match, which ended in a
draw at Colts grounds, Colombo yesterday.
The Pakistanis declared their second innings at 257-7, setting a
264-run victory target for the hosts, Upul Tharanga, who is not included
in the original Test squad, hit a stylish half century, showing his true
form ahead of the five-match ODIs series.
Tharanga scored his 50 off 53 balls hitting eight boundaries, while
Dimuth Karunaratne, the man who got out for nought in the first innings,
struck 54 runs from 69 balls he also hit eight fours. Both players
retired out and Jehan Mubarak, who was criticized for his selection in
the 15-man Test side, failed once again, to disappoint the selectors.
Resuming from the overnight score of 27-1, unbeaten opener Shan
Masood made 69 runs from 122 balls. Left handed Masood, who impressed
for the Pakistani A side during the recent tour of Sri Lanka,, smashed
five fours and a six. Vice captain Azar Ali retired out after making a
48 runs.
A highlight of the match was the young leg spinner Jiffrey Vandersay,
who completed a match-bag of eight wickets taking three scalps for 94
runs in the second innings against the Pakistan batsmen who are good at
facing spin.bowling. It was a commendable effort from the 25-year -old,
heralding a promising future .
Jeffrey Vandersay successfully appeals for a LBW against Pakistan
cricketer Azhar Ali during the final day of the three day warm-up match
between Sri Lanka Board President's XI and Pakistan at the Colts Cricket
Stadium
-AFP PHOTO/
Ishara S. KODIKARA
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