Bangladesh ‘A’ made a bold reply to the massive Sri Lanka ‘A’ total of 449, scoring 360 for the loss of just 4 wickets at the end of the 3rd day’s play. The 206-run partnership between test caps Mosaddek Hossain and Sabbir Rahman for the 4th wicket was the highlight of the concluded day.
Skipper Hossain (8) and Thushar Imran (12) were the overnight batsmen for Bangladesh ‘A’. They started the day on 44/2. Imran (25) was trapped in front to a Lakshan Sandakan delivery after the duo added 30 runs to the hosts’ total.
Read : Youngsters rally around Thirimanne as SL ‘A’ score 449.
Sabbir Rahman who walked in at no.5 then partnered with his captain and batted and batted for 60 long overs. The duo added 209 runs to their team’s total. Mosaddek Hossain scored 135 runs with 4 boundaries and 3 sixes. Prabath Jayasuriya however managed to go past Hossain’s bat and rattle the stumps to end a stubborn partnership.
On the other end Sabbir Rahman was unstoppable. He together with wicket-keeper Zakir Hasan built an unbeaten partnership of 77 for the 5th wicket. Hasan contributed with only 27 runs while Rahman scored the bulk of the runs of this unbeaten partnership.
It was a very exhaustive and difficult day for the Lankan bowlers as they managed only to pick 2 wickets for the whole day. The 2 spinners, Lakshan Sandakan and Prabath Jayasuriya were the only successful bowlers for the tourists on day 3. The couple shared as many as 52 overs among them. Sandakan was a bit on the expensive side with an economy rate of 3.24. Jayasuriya on the other hand bowled 5 maidens and was hit 2.78 runs per over.
Read : Karunaratne-Thirimanne stand highlights rain-hit first day
Nisala Tharaka and Shehan Madushanka were unsuccessful today in terms of picking up wickets. Tharaka bowled 4 maidens with an economy rate of 2.68 and Madushanka’s economy rate was 3.73. Shammu Ashan, Ashan Priyanjan, Charith Asalanka and Lahiru Milantha also were tried out but couldn’t produce the magic SL ‘A’ needed.
Play will resume for tomorrow for the last time in this match. Bangladesh ‘A’ will resume on 360/4 with Sabbir Rahman (144) and Zakir Hasan (27) at the middle. Producing a result in this game seems pretty much unlikely as the wicket looks extremely batting friendly. Nevertheless, if Sri Lanka ‘A’ could produce some magic with the ball, there is hope of something unexpected to happen.
Brief Scores:
SL ‘A’ 449/8d (131.1) Lahiru Thirimanne 168, Charith Asalanka 90, Shammu Ashan 70, Dimuth Karunaratne 60, Khaled Ahmed 4/92, Abu Hider 2/69
Ban ‘A’ 360/4 (112) Sabbir Rahman 144*, Mosaddek Hossain 135, Charith Asalanka 1/41, Nisala Tharaka 1/51, Prabath Jayasuriya 1/75, Lakshan Sandakan 1/81
