Prasanna 4/10 helps Uva win

ELMO RODRIGOPULLE reporting

Good leg spin googly bowling by Seekkuge Prasanna 4 for 19 helped Uva beat Ruhuna by 14 runs in a lackluster first game in the SLPL at the Palekelle Stadium, here today. In reply to Uva’s 155 for 6 in 20 overs, Ruhunu coild manage only 141 for 9 in 20 overs.

After the previous night’s batting fireworks by Mahela Jayawardene which lit up the night sky, the game between Uva and Ruhuna Royals began in overcast conditions and the lights had to be switched on early.

Sahid Afridi’s four sixes in the previous game which was surpassed by the five sixes hit by Jayawardene, was surprisingly rested by Ruhuna in this game which took away some of the strength in their batting.

Uva won the toss and batted first on what looked a good batting pitch. They lost their first two batsmen Dilshan Munaweera for 17 at 25 and Shiv Chanderpaul who is having a poor run with the bat for 8 at 42.

Upul Tharanga and Shoaib Malik provided the best batting of the innings when they hoisted a stand of 54 in 35 balls for the 3rd wicket.

Malik fell after making 27 in 20 balls with 3 fours at 100 and Tharanga was dismissed two short of a half century made in 40 balls with 6 fours and a six at 109.

Andrew McDonald hit hard to remain unbeaten on 28 in 14 balls with 5 fours when the innings ended at 155 for 6. Wahab Riaz had figures of 3 for 34 and Tharanga Lakshitha 2 for 40. Pallekele,Tuesday

Uva - 155 for 6 in 20 overs (Dilshan Munaweera 17, Upul Tharanga 48, Shoaib Malik 27, Andrew McDonald 28 not out, Chintaka Jayasinghe 13, Wahab Riaz 3 for 34,Tharanga Lakshitha 2 for 40)

Ruhuna - 141 in 20 overs (A.Finch 16,Chamamara Silva 23, Wahab Riaz 31 not out, Seekkuge Prasanna 4 for 19)