SL A boss Day One

Sri Lanka A dominated the first day of the third and final four-day game against Bangladesh A as the home side were bundled out for 167 and the visitors ended on 78 for three before rain stopped play at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

All eyes were on pacer Mustafizur Rahman who was playing in his first competitive match since recovering from a toe injury sustained in May, and he picked up the wicket of Ashan Priyanjan.

The left-arm seamer however still has some pain, bowled 4.4 overs and conceded 20 runs before rain forced brought an early end. Soumya Sarkar and Nayeem Hasan also took a wicket each for the home side.

Opener Shehan Jayasuriya was unbeaten on a brisk 51-ball 53 and will resume the second day alongside Charith Asalanka (7 not out) with Sri Lanka A trailing by 89 runs.

Electing to bat, Bangladesh A struggled right from the start with the pitch offering a lot of purchase for the spinners. Openers Sadman Islam (9) and Soumya Sarkar (14), Mizanur Rahman (14), Saif Hasan (7), Mohammad Mithun and Afif Hossain (12) all failed to build partnerships as Bangladesh A were struggling on 81 for five.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Zakir Hossain top-scored with 42, and Naeem Hasan and Sunzamul Islam added 54 runs for the eighth wicket. Naeem was dismissed for 22 while Sunzamul added 41 the hosts were bowled out.

The three Sri Lankan spinners Shehan Jayasuriya, Malinda Pushpakumara and Prabath Jayasuriya utilised the turn from the pitch and bagged three wickets each.

SCORES IN BRIEF

BANGLADESH A: First innings 167 (Zakir 42, Sunzamul 41, Nayeem 22; G Jayasuriya3-47, Pushpakumara 3-48, N Jayasuriya 3-12)

SRI LANKA A: First innings 78 for 3 (G Jayasuriya 53 not out; Soumya 1-4)