Sabbir, Dimuth ensure draw

Sabbir Rahman proved his credentials as a longer-version cricketer with a solid hundred in the first four-day match between the Bangladesh A team and Sri Lanka A team, which ended in a draw at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.

The fixture was dominated by batsmen, with left-hander Dimuth Karunaratne slamming a century on the final day after the home team were dismissed on 414 runs. After Bangladesh resumed the day on 360 for four, the second-string side lost their remaining wickets for 54 runs.

Right-hander Sabbir added 21 runs to his overnight 144. However, Karunaratne was the day's star performer as he struck 161 runs off 165 balls, featuring 23 fours and a six, while Lahiru Thirimanne remained unbeaten on 67 to follow up on his first innings hundred.

Sri Lankan were at 262 for two when stumps were drawn for the day. Karunaratne was the fourth batsman in the match to score a hundred.

Nazmul Islam and Mosaddek Hossain grabbed one wicket each for Bangladesh.

The second four-day match of the series will begin on July 3 at the Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox's Bazar.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SRI LANKA A: 449 for 8 declared and 262 for 2 in 57 overs (Karunaratne 161, Milantha 30, Thirimanne 67; Nazmul 1-37, Mosaddek 1-39)

BANGLADESH A: 414 all out in 114 overs (Sabbir 165, Mosaddek 135; Sandakan 5-108, Jayasuriya 3-83)

Result: Match Drawn.