Sri Lanka A defeats India A by four-wickets

Nairobi, Aug 15 (UNI) Top order batting collapse led India 'A' to a four-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka 'A' in a league match of the three nation Triangular Tournament played at the Gymkahana club ground here today.

Batting first India 'A' were bowled out for a poultry 102 runs in just 36.2 overs. But the Lankan 'A' side also had to stretch hard as it took them 30.2 overs and six wickets to reach the target.

The India 'A' side were no where near to their yesterday's performance against a less formidable Kenya 'A' side whom they beat by 10 wickets.

At one stage of India 'A' innings today the scorecard showed 30 runs at the loss of seven wickets. But comeback-man Irfan Pathan came to the rescue and once again proved his selection in India's forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup squad as he displayed an all-round performance, much with his bat to help the Indian side reach the triple figure mark.

The Baroda all-rounder was totally averse to his pinch hitting mood today as he displayed plenty of gritt and determination in his 44 runs innings which came of 79 bowls.

Pathan alongwith with his new bowl partner Pankaj Singh created some early hazzards for the Lanka 'A' innings, both picking up two wickets each to the read the Lankan scorecard 40 for six at one point of time.

However, the seventh-wicket partnership of 66 runs between Kaushal Lokuarachchi (37 not out) and Gayan Wijekoon (26 not out) saved the day for Sri Lanka 'A', as they steared home their side in the 31st over with no further damage.

Brief Scorecard: India A innings: 102 runs (all out in 36.2 overs), Irfan Pathan 44, Nuwan Kulasekara 10/4, Chanaka Welegedara 23/3.

Sri Lanka A innings: 106 runs (for six wickets in 30.2 overs), Kaushal Lokuarachchi 37 (not out), Gayan Wijekoon 26 (not out), Irfan Pathan 35/2, Pankaj Singh 37/2.

UNI