Mahroof helps Lanka to victory

Farveez Mahroof struck an unbeaten 81 as Sri Lanka recovered from a top order collapse to register a 84-run victory over PCA President's XI in a warm-up match for the Champions Trophy in Mohali on Thursday.

Electing to bat, the Sri Lankans were precariously placed at 144 for six before the hard-hitting Mahroof bailed the team out with his 88-ball knock to steer the islanders to a competitive 267 for 8 in their alloted 50 overs.

Mahroof found an able ally in Chaminda Vaas who scored a 46 ball 48 as the duo put on a 90-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

The hosts managed 183 for 7 with former India international Pankaj Dharmani top scoring with 56.

The Lankans, who are among the four teams who will play qualifying matches to make it to the championship proper, found the going tough in the morning with the top batsman Sanath Jayasuriya (10), skipper Mahela Jayawardene (9), Kumara Sangakara (23) and Marven Attapattu (15) perishing cheaply.

Tilakratne Dilshan chipped in with a useful 25 but it was Mahroof and Vaas who really took the team to a relatively safe total.

Gagandeep Singh was the pick of the Punjab bowlers with figures of 10-4-23-2 while Rajesh Sharma chipped in with 2-64.

The home team also got off to a disastrous start with openers Uday Kaul (4), Ravneet Ricky (36), Ishan Malhotra (10) and Gaurav Gupta (10) returning to the pavilion early as they slumped to 74 for four.

Dharmani provided a semblance of resistance with a 74-ball knock while Bipul Sharma (22 n.o.) was the other notable contributor.

For Sri Lanka, Ruchira Perera was the most successful bowler with 2 for 31. Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan had figures of 7-1-30-1.

The Lankans will play the inaugural qualifying match against Bangladesh at PCA stadium in Mohali on Saturday.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka: 267 for 8 in 50 overs (F Maroof 81 n.o., C Vaas 48, T Dilshan 25, Gagandeep Singh 2-23)

PCA President's XI: 183 for 7 in 50 overs (Pankaj Dharmani 56, R Ricky 36, R Parera 2 for 31).