Karunaratne makes half-century on curtailed day
Dimuth Karunaratne continued his good form with Sri Lanka A, making a half-century, but Pakistan A struck regularly to share honours on a truncated opening day's play in the first unofficial Test in Galle
ESPNcricinfo staff
09-Sep-2010
Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sinhalese Sports Club batsman, continued his good form with Sri Lanka A, making a half-century, but Pakistan A struck regularly to share honours on a truncated opening day in the first unofficial Test in Galle.
Put into bat, Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Thirimanne early when he was trapped leg before by left-arm medium-pacer Junaid Khan. Dinesh Chandimal was soon caught behind off fast bowler Mohammad Talha - who played a Test for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 2009 - to leave Sri Lanka in trouble at 45 for 2. However, Karunaratne and captain Kaushal Silva steadied the innings with a 54-run third wicket stand. Karunaratne made 51 off 84 deliveries before he was dismissed with the score on 99.
Karunatratne has been among the runs of late, scoring 244 runs at an average of 81.33 in the two unofficial Tests against South Africa A. He was also the second-highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka A in the recent A-team triangular series after Tharanga Paranavitana.
Only thirty overs were possible in the day with Sri Lanka finishing on 105 for 3.
