Sri Lanka romped home to an easy seven-wicket win over India in the final of the Asian ‘A’ teams’ cricket tournament to lift the Kenstar Cup here today.The visitors skittled out India for a paltry 197 in 44.4 overs, with ‘man of the match’ Pervez Maharoof returning figures of 4 for 30, and then rode on fine knocks by Jehan Mubarrak (61), P Jayawardane (54) and skipper Russel Arnold (35 not out) to reach the target of 198 and close the issue in 33.4 overs at the Eden Gardens.Watched in dismay by a crowd of around 50,000, the Indians missed easy catches and conceded several overthrows as the Lankans looked in complete control throughout their chase, which centred around a 104-run second wicket partnership between Mubarrak and Jayawardane which took the game away from the home side.Mubarrak, who compiled his 50 from just 57 balls, was lucky to survive at his personal score of 19 when he edged off-spinner Sarandeep Singh to slip, but India A skipper Hemang Badani, instead of going for the catch, took evasive action.But that was Mubarrak’s only blemish, as otherwise he played confidently, dispatching the Indian bowlers for three boundaries and two sixes during his 65-ball innings. Jayawardane, who also reached his half-century of 57 balls, was lucky to survive at 47 when wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra failed to latch on to an easy catch off leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule. Finally, Sarandeep Singh removed Mubarrak as the batsman went for a big hit and Patel took a well-judged catch at long-off.Brief scores: India A: 197 in 44.4 overs (Gambhir 24, Bangar 26, Sriram 65, Badani 23, Maharoof 4-30, Herath 2-46) vs Sri Lanka A: 198-3 in 33.4 overs (Mubarrak 61, Jayawardane 54, Arnold not out 35).
