Sri Lanka finished the first day of the 3rd Unofficial Test against Bangladesh ‘A’ on 78 for 3, after bowling out the hosts to a mere 167. The 4-day match is played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The series is yet to see a match with a result.
Lahiru Thirimanne was given the responsibility of leading the visiting side as appointed captain Dimuth Karunaratne came back to Sri Lanka to join the Sri Lanka Test squad along with Lakshan Sandakan. The hosts also had a new captain in wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Mithun.
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Sri Lanka ‘A’ made 5 changes including 2 forced changes to their playing XI. Sadeera Samarawickrama, who played as the wicket-keeper in the previous two matches was promoted up the order to replace Karunaratne. Manoj Sarathchandra came into the XI as the wicket-keeper. Prabath Jayasuriya replaced Lakshan Sandakan while Shehan Madushanka was given a chance at the expense of Nisala Tharaka. Shehan Jayasuriya and Malinda Pushpakumara, who were not named in the initial squad also broke into the XI replacing Lahiru Milantha and Dilesh Gunaratne.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ Playing XI:
Sadeera Samarawickrama, Shehan Jayasuriya, Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Ashan Priyanjan, Charith Asalanka, Sammu Ashan, Manoj Sarathchandra (wk), Prabath Jayasuriya, Shehan Madushanka, Malinda Pushpakumara, Vishwa Fernando
The hosts had included Mustafizur Rahman who is making a comeback after being sidelined due to injury. Centurions in the 1st match, Mosaddek Hossain and Sabbir Rahman, were not included in the Bangla XI for this match.
Bangladesh ‘A’ Playing XI:
Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Mizanur Rahman, Saif Hassan, Zakir Hasan, Mohammad Mithun (c & wk), Afif Hossain, Sunzamul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Khaled Ahmed
After winning the toss, the home captain decided to bat first. The two fast-bowlers for the visitors, Vishwa Fernando and Shehan Madushanka, shared the new ball. Fernando was able to dismiss Shadman Islam in the 5th over of the match when the score was only 14. It was the only wicket taken by a Lankan seamer on the day. The rest of the 9 wickets were shared amongst the spin trio Malinda Pushpakumara, Shehan Jayasuriya and Prabath Jayasuriya. Zakir Hasan and no.8 batsman Sanzamul Islam managed to score 40+ runs each, however.
The spin trio just ran through the Bangladesh batting order with ease. The hosts in fact were reeling on 105 for 7 at one stage. The 8th wicket partnership of 54 between Sanzamul Islam and Naeem Hasan helped them reach 150 eventually. It was Prabath Jayasuriya who took the final 3 wickets reducing Bangladesh ‘A’ to 167.
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Sadeera Samarawickrama and Shehan Jayasuriya opened the Lankan 1st innings. Samarawickrama once again failed to make a good score in the series as he fell to part-time medium pacer Soumya Sarkar in the 4th over of the inning for just 5 runs. Lahiru Thirimanne, who has been so successful throughout the series, also got out early on for 12. Ashan Priyanjan scored a 5-ball duck being the only victim of Mustafizur Rahman of the day.
On the other end Shehan Jayasuriya who already had impressed with the ball, scored a quick fifty with 8 fours and a six. His half-century added value to Sri Lanka’s superb bowling effort at the end of the day. Charith Asalanka remained unbeaten on 7 after facing 44 deliveries. Sri Lanka is trailing by 89 runs with 7 wickets in hand.
Brief Scores:
Ban ‘A’ 167 (62.3 Overs) Zakir Hasan 42, Sanzamul Islam 41, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/12, Shehan Jayasuriya 3/47, Malinda Pushpakumara 3/48
SL ‘A’ 78/3 (21.4 Overs) Shehan Jayasuriya 53*, Soumya Sarkar 1/4, Mustafizur Rahman 1/20, Naeem Hasan 1/26
Sri Lanka A trail by 89 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
