Galle: Vanuja Sahan’s 5-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka A beat New Zealand A in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Galle International Stadium here on Sunday.
New Zealand opener Max Choo’s decision backfired as the home side were bowled out for 261 in 49.2 overs.
Opener Kamil Mishara top-scored with 71 off 49 balls with 12 fours and a six, followed by captain Sahan Arachike and Milan Ratnayake with 66 and 53 respectively.
For the Blackcaps, Christian Clarke and Aditya Ashok took two wickets each, while Dale Phillips, Tim Pringle, Muhammad Abbas, Simon Keane and Ben Lister took one each.
Chasing a target of 262 runs, the visitors managed to score 121 runs in 28.4 overs.
Opener Phillips top-scored for New Zealand A with a blistering 17-ball 30, while fellow opener Rhys Mariu (19), Clarke (18), Abbas and Keane, with 11 each, scored double figures against a Sahan-led Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Sahan returned an impressive 5/13 in his 6.4 overs and was adjudged Man of the Match.
His brilliance was supported by Sonal Dinusha, who took two wickets, while Ravindu Fernando took a scalp.
With the 140-run win, Sri Lanka A took a 1-0 lead in the three-match home series against New Zealand, the second of which is scheduled to be played in Ambandottai on Wednesday.