Saif, Naim guide Bangladesh A to series win
Opener Saif Hassan scored 117 for Bangladesh ‘A’
Two fine knocks by openers Saif Hassan and Mohammad Naim laid the foundation for Bangladesh ‘A’ to record a 98 win by Duckworth/Lewis method over host Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the third unofficial ODI encounter played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. They clinched the three match series 2-1.
Batting first Bangladesh ‘A’ posted a formidable score of 322 runs while Sri Lanka ‘A’ was on 130 for 6 when play was stopped due to bad light.
Saif made a quick-fire 110-ball knock of 117, with 12 boundaries and three sixes. Naim chipped in with a 76-ball 66 that included five boundaries and two sixes. The two gave the side a flying start with the pair adding 120 runs in 134 balls.
Mohammad Mithun made 32, adding 99 runs in just 67 balls for the fourth wicket with Saif.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ pacies Shiran Fernando and Vishwa Fernando shared the wickets.
Sri Lanka in their run chase were left with the daunting target of 323 runs and faced an early setback as they lost two quick wickets with 27 runs on the scoreboard in the fifth over.
Despite a recovery coming through from the man-in-form Kamindu Mendis and skipper Ashan Priyanjan who together added 64 runs for the third wicket, it proved a tough chase.
Kamindu Mendis made a stubborn knock of 55 in 65 balls with two boundaries and three sixes before play was stopped after 24.4 overs.
Scores
- Bangladesh A 322 for 9 in 50 overs (Saif Hassan 117, Mohammad Naim 66, Mohammad Mithun 32, Nurul Hasan 17, Anamul Haq 15: Shiran Fernando 4 for 50, Vishwa Fernando 3 for 69)
- Sri Lanka A 130 for 6 in 24.4 overs (Kamindu Mendis 55, Ashan Priyanjan 34, Sandun Weerakkody 18: Saif Hassan 2 for 25, Ebadat Hossain 2 for 26)