Pakistan A win the first one-day match by 49 runs at Multan

Pakistan 'A' won the first of the 3-match one-day series by 49 runs at Multan. The Man of the Match was Naved Latif with a fine 89.

Earlier, Sri Lanka 'A' skipper, Thilan Samaraweera invited Pakistan 'A' to bat after winning the toss on a firm and true pitch at Multan. After losing 2 early wickets, Babar Naeem (4) and Kamran Sajid (9) it was Salman Butt (33) and Naved Latif (89 off 83 balls) who partnered to reach 83 before Salman Butt was leg before off Samaraweera.

Then a good partnership followed between Naved Latif and Yasir Hameed (70) to put up 205 for 4 in 43 overs. After a tired and sick Naved Latif was bowled by Ranjith, Yasir Hameed carried on with Moin Khan the Pakistan 'A" skipper who played a quick 20 run cameo off 21 balls.

After 50 overs Pakistan 'A' had reached 257 for six, thought to be a competitive total.

The Sri Lankan bowlers had been accurate all morning in the Multan heat but the experienced Naved Latif played the anchor role although suffering stomach problems.

After the break, the Sri Lankan openers, Gunawardene and Vandort started off well and put on 41 off 9.4 overs when Najaf Shah bowled Gunawardene for 15.

Vandort batted very well, hitting 77 off 86 balls but was bowled going for a reverse sweep on a Qaisar Abbas ball that straightened. This was the turning point and the match swung towards Pakistan.

The only other notable innings was by Samaraweera who scored 35 off 65 balls.

Spinner Qaisar Abbas picked up 3 for 41 in his 10 overs and the new pacers Yasir Arafat, Junaid Zia and Najaf Shah shared the rest of the wickets.

Michael Vandort picked up the best batsman of the match award and the best bowler award went to Qaisar Abbas. The man of the match was Naved Latif.

A large and enthusiastic crowd saw this contest in the newly built and well-equipped stadium at Multan.

The next match will be on 1st October at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad followed by the final match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on the 3rd.