Lankan Architects make tour of Pakistan
View(s):On an invitation by the Institute of Architects of Pakistan (IAP) Sri Lanka Architect’s team toured Pakistan for a series of matches that took place from February 23 to March 3. This tour was as a result of the effort made to strengthen the inter relationship of the regional architects.
The main event of the tour was three T20 matches played between the two architects teams of both countries followed by two friendly matches (a T20 and a 40 over match) with the sponsors of the tour – True Value Products (Pvt) Ltd.
Sri Lanka Architects made a clean sweep of the main series winning all three T20 matches over the Pakistani counterparts. In the first match played at the NBP Stadium Karachchi Sri Lankans scored a 37 run win. Batting first Sri Lankans posted a respectable 168 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs with skipper Damith Perera leading from the front to be the top scorer with 41 while Kosala Weerasekera (32), Azwin Haq (34) and Kanishka Padmapani (27) were the other main contributors. In reply Pakistanis were able to collect only 131 for the loss of 6 wickets with Suresh Edirisooriya, Sulochana Amunugama, Lahiru Pitawalage and Damith Perera made run getting tough for the hosts. Kosala Perera was adjudged the Man of the Match.
In the second match played at the same venue Sri Lankan Architects scored an easy six wicket victory. Chasing a victory target of 167 the Lankans reach target with 2.1 overs to spare. Ramiz Baig making a lusty 70 led the Pakistani innings. Manoj Perera top scored with a well compiled 54 supported by Damith Perera and Azwin Haq who scored 30 and 29 respectively. Ramiz Baig walked away with the Man of the Match award.
The final match was played at the Moin Khan Academy Stadium, Karachchi-a day night match Pakistanis taking first lease of the wicket were troubled by the Sri Lankan bowlers Damith Perera (2/10), Sulochana Amunugama (2/31), Kosala Weerasekera (1/21) and Nadun Saputhanthri (1/22) were 131 for 9 at the end of 20 overs. Sri Lankan Architects sailed to an easy 8 wicket win with 3.1 overs to spare. Its again the in-form skipper Damith Perera scored a fine unbeaten 45 while Azwin Haq made an entertaining 61n.o. for the visitors. Azwin Haq won the Man of the Match award.
Two friendly matches too were played first a combined Sri Lanka Pakistan team vs. Sponsors team and the second was between Sri Lanka Architect’s team and the sponsors’ team. Damith Perera (Sri Lanka) and Ali Naqvi (Pakistan) shared the Man of the Series award.
In the tour organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects Sports Committee Sri Lankan architects exhibited a high quality of sportsmanship on and off the field and fine team work was the secret behind their success. Damith Prematilleke accompanied the team as the Manager.
Former Pakistani cricketers Moin Khan and Saheed Anwer and renowned Pakistani Architects were among the guests for the matches and for the Final Presentation ceremony.
1st Match – Sri Lankan Architects
won by 37 runs
Sri Lanka Architects-168 for 7 (20) (Damith Perera 41, Kosala Weerasekera 32, Azwin Haq (34), Kanishka Padmapani 27, Azhad Faquin 2/30, Saad Fareed 1/34, Yaseer Hafeez 1/19); Pakistan Architects-131 for 6 (20) (Ali Naqvi 58, Ramiz Baig 20, Shamim Alam 16, Suresh Edirisooriya 1/11, Sulochana Amunugama 1/15, Lahiru Pitawalage 1/26, Damith Perera 1/32)
2nd Match – Sri Lankans won by 4 wickets
Pakistan Architects-167 for 7 (20) (Ali Naqvi 58n.o., Ramiz Baig 70, Damith Perera 1/32); Sri Lanka Architects-168 for 6 (17.5) (Manoj Champika 54, Damith Perera 30, Azwin Haq 29, Azhad Faquin 2/37, Ali Naqvi 2/24)
3rd Match – Sri Lankan Architects won by 8 wickets
Pakistan Archtects-131 for 9 (20) (Ali Naqvi 21, Najeeb Omer 33, Samim Alam 24, Mir Raza Ali 22, Damith Perera 2/10, Sulochana Amunugama 2/32, Kosala Weerasekera 1/21, Nadun Saputhanthiri 1/22); Sri Lanka Archtects-136 for 2 (16.5) Damith Perera 45n.o., Azwin Haq 61n.o.)