Abdullah smashes 63 against Sri Lanka as warm-up match ends in a draw

COLOMBO (92 News) - Opener Abdullah Shafique scored 63 off 111 balls on the last day of the three-day warm-up match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Colts Cricket Club Ground here in Colombo.

Pakistan, in their second innings, were 178 for two on stumps as the match ended in a draw. Abdullah, who has a century and four half-centuries to his name in Test cricket, and Imam added 61 runs for the first wicket before the latter was dismissed for 30.

Abdullah was retired out after smashing five fours and two sixes. Azhar Ali was also retired out after scoring 40 off 75 (three fours).

Earlier Sri Lanka XI declared on 375 for eight at Lunch. Minod Bhanuka scored 32, Sahan Arachchige made 28 and Chamika Karunaratne scored 27.

Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi took a wicket each.

Pakistan will depart for Galle on Thursday for the first of the two Test matches against Sri Lanka. The first match will be played from July 16-20. The tourists will then return to Colombo to play hosts at R Premadasa International Stadium in the second Test, which begins on July 24.

The series is part of ICC World Test Championship cycle.