Hambantota: The two-day warm-up match between SLC Board XI and Pakistan at Hambantota has ended in a draw as SLC Board XI were 88-4 in their second innings at the close of play.  Babar Azam, batting on 14*, and Saud Shakeel who was yet to get off the mark, resumed their innings on day two of the two-day warm-up match against SLC Board XI at Hambantota, after Pakistan ended the first day on 160/3.

Babar lead the charge for Pakistan, hitting left-arm spinner, Praveen Jayawickrama, over mid-on for a boundary.  Babar and Shakeel formed a crucial partnership and continued to build a strong foundation for Pakistan. The Men in Green were 286/3 at the end of first session, leading by 90 runs at lunch on day two. They ended up with a score of 342 in reply to SLC Board XI's 196 in their first innings, taking a lead 146 runs. Babar Azam retired himself out on 79 and Shakeel also followed suit with retiring out on 61.  Babar faced 113 balls and hit seven fours and a six, while Saud’s 86-ball innings included six fours. 

 Agha Salman, Mohammad Rizwan and Muhammad Hurraira scored 12 runs each. Whereas, Sarfaraz Ahmed remained not out on a 26-ball 17.  In SLC XI's second innings, Shaheen Afridi struck early for Pakistan as he dismissed Sandun Weerakkody. Naseem Shah also picked a wicket, but Salman Ali Agha turned out to be pick of the bowlers as he took two wickets, with SLC XI finishing on 88/4 at end of day's play. Pakistan also dominated the proceedings on the first day of the warm-up match on yesterday. After a brilliant bowling performance that saw them dismiss the SLC Board XI for a total of 196 runs, Pakistan's opening batsmen, Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique, capitalized on the team's strong bowling display and carried the momentum forward with a solid start to their innings. Imam ul Haq played a patient innings, scoring 36 runs off 75 deliveries, while Abdullah Shafique contributed with 25 runs off 44 balls.

However, it was Shan Masood who stole the limelight with an aggressive intent, scoring a quick-fire 83 runs off just 66 balls, which included nine fours and three sixes. His aggressive approach put the Sri Lankan bowlers under immense pressure and allowed Pakistan to accumulate runs at a brisk pace. Both sides were allowed to use all members of their squads during the match. Pakistan Squad Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood SLC Board Squad Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Oshada Fernando, Sadun Weerakkody, Kamidu Mendis (c), Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrwme, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 13 2023

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