Sri Lanka Test bowler Milan Rathnayake scored a match-winning 77*, helping the 'A' side beat Ireland A in the final of the one-day tri-series today (April 25).
Chasing 201 to win the one-day tri-series, also featuring Afghanistan A, Sri Lanka A were in a spot of bother at 43-5 in 9.1 overs against Ireland A. Sri Lanka internationals Lahiru Udara and Sadeera Samarawickrama, the A captain, departed for 16 and zero, respectively, as Ireland A made early inroads in Abu Dhabi.
Final, Sri Lanka A vs Ireland A
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Rathnayake, batting at No.7, and with a List A average of 4.9, combined with Pavan Rathnayake to take his team over the line, both players staying unbeaten on exactly 77 to win the final.
Who is Milan Rathnayake?
The 28-year-old is a right-arm bowler who has played four Tests. He made his Test debut in Manchester, against England last year and immediately showcased his batting skills too, hitting 72 at No.9 when Sri Lanka were struggling at 113-7 in the first innings of the Test.
He also made 43 at Lord’s in the next Test, putting in a late resistance as Sri Lanka tried to avoid a big defeat.
Rathnayake has also taken 10 wickets, including the wickets of Ben Duckett (twice), Harry Brook and Joe Root.
His batting has been largely untested in List A cricket though. He came into the tri-series with a high score of 24*, a batting average of 4.86, and one six in 28 innings. He took the tally to three sixes during the knock against
He increased to tally to three after his knock against Ireland A, smashing two sixes in 83 balls, along with nine fours.
He also picked up seven wickets in three games in the tournament, including taking 3-24 in the final, where he was named the Player of the Match.
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