Saif stars as Bangladesh A post 300 vs WI A

Bangladesh A’s top-order batsman Saif Hassan stood tall with the bat as he scored 146 on the third day of the second four-day match against West Indies A in St Lucia on Saturday.

Bangladesh A declared the innings at 300-9, a score that was reached almost entirely due to the vigilance of Saif, who played 348 deliveries for his 146 as he hit 13 fours and four sixes.

Saif stitched up a 101-run partnership for the sixth wicket with wicket-keeper batsman Jaker Ali, who was the second highest scorer with 33 runs.

West Indies A fast-bowlers Anderson Phillip and Colin Archibald scalped three wickets each, while leg-spinner Yannic Cariah picked up two.

In reply, West Indies A managed to score 43 runs with the loss of two wickets at stumps on day three.

Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and skipper Joshua Da Silva were unbeaten on 21 and 12 respectively.

Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Mrittunjoy Chowdhury picked up both the wickets as he castled Jeremy Solozano and found the outside edge of Keacy Carty for a nought.

Bangladesh A suffered similar batting woes against the pace and bounce on the second day but this time Saif came through to take his team to a 300-total.

Mrittunjoy admitted they struggled to adapt to the wickets initially but managed to get used to it and adjusted accordingly.

“When we came here, we were struggling to adjust to the wicket. We struggled with the bat. With the ball, we struggled with lengths; The lengths we bowled back at home were not suited to this wicket. But we managed to adjust in the second match. We have adjusted and bowled well,” he said.