Bangladesh A hold on to eke out draw

The first of the three four-day matches between Bangladesh A and West Indies A ended in a draw after Bangladesh managed to hold on after being enforced to follow-on at the Sylhet International Stadium in Sylhet on Friday.

Fourth day resumed with Bangladesh’s second innings 5-0, following-on their first innings total of 264, trailing the Caribbeans by 158 runs with Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan batting.

After their first innings rattled on the third day, Bangladesh had to hold out the fourth and final day for a draw which seemed unlikely after opener Zakir was out for none in the first over of the day.

Saif Hasan (6) soon followed him in the sixth over of the day and Bangladesh were down 28-2. Shadman (64) then partnered with Mahmudul Hasan Joy for a 66-run third-wicket stand.

After Joy was ousted by Gudakesh Motie on 20, skipper Afif Hossain’s innings showed promise as he hit two quick boundaries trying to release the pressure, but couldn’t keep that up as Motie sent him back with a quicker to trap him LBW.

After Afif’s departure, it was Jaker Ali Anik, alongside Rishad Hossain, who held out against the Caribbean bowlers to take the hosts to the draw.

Jaker was unbeaten till the end of the day on 36 off 67 balls when both teams agreed to a draw with Bangladesh scoring 187-7.