Bangladesh ‘A’ staged a fight back against West Indies ‘A’ on the third day of their four-day unofficial Test at Syhlet International Stadium on Thursday.

After bowling the West Indies out for 345, Bangladesh ‘A’, trailing by 108 runs on first innings, reached 274-6 at stumps, for a lead of 166 runs heading into the final day of play on Friday.

The hosts owe their position to half-centuries from opener Shadlam Islam, Shahadat Hossain and Irfan Sukkur, the latter being unbeaten on 64 and who along with Nayeem Hasan have so far added 65 runs for the seventh wicket.

The West Indies ‘A’, resuming from their overnight score of 268-6 with Joshua da Silva on nine and Kevin Sinclair on one, took the score to 329, a stand of 63 for the seventh wicket that was broken when Sinclair was dismissed for 32 by Hasan Sakib, who would eventually take all four West Indies wickets.

Akeem Jordan, Anderson Phillip and Jair McAllister all fell cheaply leaving da Silva high and dry on 47. The West Indies ‘A’ captain was visibly irritated when McAllister went for an ill-advised pull shot and was out caught for a duck first ball of the 97th over, to be last man out thus denying his captain a chance to achieve another 50.

Hasan Sakib's four wickets came at a cost of 59 runs.

Trailing by 108 on first innings, opener Shadlam Islam made 74 while helping lay the foundation for the Bangladesh ‘A’ fightback. At 51-2 after losing the wickets of Zakir Hasan for 13 and Saif Hasan for 16, Islam featured in a 56-run third wicket partnership with Mohammad Naim, who was eventually dismissed by Sinclair for 28.

The loss of Naim’s wicket brought Shahadat Hossain to the crease and he and Islam further frustrated the West Indies bowlers while putting on 68 for the fourth wicket.

Sinclair eventually broke through trapping Islam for 74 before dismissing Afif Hossain for four as Bangladesh ‘A’ slipped to 180-5. Sinclair picked up his third wicket when he dismissed Shahadat Hossain 50 with the lead at 101.

That would be the last success for the West Indies bowlers for the day as Sukkur and Nayeem Hasan kept the tourists’ attack at bay until the close.

Sinclair’s three wickets cost 76 runs while Akeem Jordan has so far picked up 2-38.

West Indies 'A' took charge of the second unofficial Test against Bangladesh 'A' at the Syhlet International Stadium Wednesday, thanks to Akeem Jordan's impressive five-wicket haul and strong batting performances from Kirk McKenzie and Keacy Carty.

Bangladesh 'A' resumed their innings from the rain-shortened opening day at 175-5 and were eventually bowled out for 237 in 65.3 overs. Shahadat Hossain, not out overnight on 28, fought hard to make 73, but Hasan could only add five runs to his overnight score of 12. Jordan, Anderson Phillip, and Jair McAllister combined brilliantly to claim the last five Bangladeshi wickets for just 62 runs.

Jordan finished with exceptional figures of 5-45, supported by Phillip with 2-67 and McAllister with 1-58. Kevin Sinclair also made an impact with 2-44.

In their response, West Indies 'A' started strongly despite losing opening partner Tagenarine Chanderpaul early. Kirk McKenzie, continuing his good form from the first Test, played an enterprising knock of 91, accompanied by Raymon Reifer's contribution of 37. The two built a crucial partnership of 116 for the second wicket. However, a sudden collapse saw the tourists lose three wickets for just seven runs in the following two overs.

McKenzie's innings of 91 came to an end after a brief partnership with Alick Athanaze, who took the score to 139-3 before falling lbw for 45. Brandon King's poor form continued as he was dismissed for a duck, marking his second consecutive failure in the series.

Athanaze and Keacy Carty then steadied the innings with a 79-run partnership, taking the team past the 200-run mark and within 19 runs of Bangladesh 'A's score. Athanaze's dismissal for 45 to Saif Hasan, who had earlier dismissed King, interrupted their progress.

Carty and Captain Joshua da Silva continued the recovery, guiding West Indies 'A' to 266 before Carty was unfortunately run out for a well-played 68. At stumps, da Silva remained unbeaten on nine, accompanied by Kevin Sinclair on one. West Indies closed the day on 268-6, holding a 31-run lead heading into the third day.

The first Test between the two teams ended in a draw due to rain interruptions.

Scores: Bangladesh 'A' 237 (Hossain 73, Jordan 5-45); West Indies 'A' 268-6 (McKenzie 91, Carty 68, Saif Hasan 2-37).

 

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