Islamabad, November 4,2026: Sri Lanka XI held the upper hand on the opening day of their warm-up match against Patrons XI at the Islamabad Cricket Ground on Wednesday, declaring their first innings at 223-7 in 58 overs.
In reply, Patrons XI reached 43-2 in 15 overs at stumps, trailing by 180 runs. Azan Awais was unbeaten on 19 off 46 deliveries, including two boundaries, while Mohammad Taha remained not out on 16 off 18 balls, having struck two fours.
Sri Lankan pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Milan Rathnayake made early inroads, dismissing Abdullah Fazal for two and Sameer Minhas for three, respectively.
Earlier, Sri Lanka XI won the toss and elected to bat but suffered an early collapse, losing two wickets for just 21 runs.
Opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara scored eight off 28 deliveries before falling to Saqib Khan, who also dismissed Dinesh Chandimal for a duck. Dhananjaya de Silva was the next to depart, scoring 14 off 20 balls before Mohammad Salman removed him, leaving the visitors struggling at 40-3 in 17.2 overs.
Lahiru Udara and captain Kusal Mendis then steadied the innings with a valuable partnership, adding 90 runs for the fourth wicket to take their team past the 100-run mark.
Udara led the recovery with an impressive 65 off 105 deliveries, hitting seven fours and three sixes. His dismissal brought an end to the partnership and left Sri Lanka XI at 130-4.
Sonul Dinusha contributed 10 before Ali Shabbir dismissed him, reducing the visitors to 153-5 in 37.2 overs.
Mendis continued to anchor the innings and completed a half-century before being dismissed by Ubaid Shah for 66 off 72 balls, including 11 boundaries.
Mohammad Salman claimed his second wicket by dismissing Milan Rathnayake for a duck as Sri Lanka XI eventually declared at 223-7 after 58 overs.
Anjala Bandara remained unbeaten on 33 off 61 deliveries, striking five boundaries, while Kesara Nawantha was not out on eight.
For Patrons XI, Saqib Khan, Ali Shabbir and Mohammad Salman claimed two wickets each, while Ubaid Shah took one.
Patrons XI’s reply got off to a difficult start as Madushanka and Rathnayake struck early to remove both openers.
However, Awais and Taha steadied the innings towards the close of play, taking the total to 43-2 at stumps. Patrons XI will resume their innings on the second day, needing to make up the 180-run deficit.
