KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan-A cricket team defeated Sari Lanka Cricket Development XI by 69 runs in a four-day practice match played in Colombo, the nation’s capital, an official said on Wednesday.

Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News the Afghanistan-A in their first innings scored 158 runs for the loss of all wickets and the Sari Lankan team 284 runs in reply.

Afghan bowlers Yamin Ahmadzai and Hamza Hotak shared three wickets each.

In their second innings, Afghan batsmen played beautifully and piled up 412 runs, with Najib Zadran making his century and contributing 113 runs. He was followed by Noor Ali Zadran who fell just six runs short of his ton.

Though the Sari Lankan team took 126 runs lead in the first innings, the Afghanistan-A team set them 286 runs target in the second innings.

The hosts could not chase the target and were all out for 221 runs losing the game by 69 runs thanks to Hamza Hotak’s five-wicket haul.

The Afghanistan-A arrived in Sari Lanka few days ago to play friendly matches against local clubs.

During the 21-day tour, the Afghanistan-A team will play two four-day and four one-day matches.

ma