Zakir, Najmul hand Bangladesh A hope

Bangladesh A produced a much better performance in their second innings compared to their first as they managed to score 172-1 by the end of the third day in the first four-day match of their two-match series against India A in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday.

Zakir Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto hit fifties after India A declared on 465-5 as they finished the day 181 runs behind after their dismal outing in the first innings where Bangladesh A were bowled out for only 112.

Bangladesh A would still need to continue on their improved batting outing on the final day of the match to ensure that they can avoid a defeat, or at least an innings defeat.

India A started the day on 404-5 and did not lose any more wickets as a fifty from Upendra Yadav, who stayed not out on 71, helped them add 61 runs on the third day before putting an end to their innings.

In reply, Bangladesh A got off to a good start, which was not a hard task in contrast with their first innings showing, as openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir put together 71 runs for the opening wicket.

Mahmudul though could not make use of the start he got as he was dismissed on 21 off 88 deliveries when left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar, who got four wickets in the first innings, managed to scalp him.

From there on, Zakir and Najmul put together an unbeaten partnership of 101 runs to ensure that Bangladesh A had a shot at achieving something from the match, i.e., a draw, or at least have the chance of avoiding an innings defeat.

Zakir reached his fifty off 109 balls, and stayed unbeaten on 81 off 173 deliveries, hitting eight fours and two sixes.

Najmul played 124 balls to stay unbeaten on 56, where he managed seven boundaries but none of them a six, after reaching his fifty from 104 balls.

Bangladesh A will face India A in the second match of the series, which will begin on December 6, in Sylhet.