An all-round performance by local boy Ariful Haque guided Bangladesh A team to earn an exciting two-run victory over touring Sri Lanka A team, reports UNB.
The first match of the three-match one-day (unofficial ODI) series was held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.
With the day's feat, hosts Bangladesh A team took a 1-0 lead in the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka after losing the three-match unofficial Test 0-1 in last Thursday.
Sent in to bat first in the day's first one-dayer, the 2nd string Bangladesh team piled up a challenging total of 280 runs for 7 in stipulated 50 overs. Captain Mohammad Mithun and number four batsman Fazle Mahmud scored 95 runs in the 4th wicket stand. Fazle Mahmud pairing with number five Mohammad Mithun carried the team to 215 runs from 120, adding 95 runs in the 4th wicket.
Fazle Mahmud hammered 59 runs off 63 balls hitting two fours and two sixes. Mohammad Mithun scored run-a-ball 44, featuring five boundaries.
Ariful Haque, came to bat in number six, quick-fired 22-ball 47 runs with the help of three fours and four sixes enabling Bangladesh to make a challenging total of 280. Later, he claimed two wickets for 42 to be adjudge man of the match.
Dusan Shanaka, GSNFG Jayasuriya, PM Pushpakumara, NLTC Perera and Shehan Madushanka grabbed one wicket each conceding 24, 39, 44, 44 and 61 runs respectively.
In reply, the 2nd string Sri Lanka team fought hard for its existence but were all out for 278 runs in 50 overs.
Number six right hand batsman Dusan Shanaka contributed the match highest run-a-ball 78. Number five Ashan Priyanjan scored 59-ball 42 runs including four boundaries. Besides, one down Lahiru Thirimanne (29) and Shammu Ashan (28) were the other notable scorer for Sri Lanka.
The 25-year old right arm medium pacer from Sylhet District Khaled Mahmud made major damage to Sri Lankan innings claiming four wickets for 72 runs, Shoriful Islam grabbed three for 54, apart from Ariful Haque's 2 for 42.
In the remaining two one-day matches between the 2nd string teams of hosts Bangladesh and visiting Sri Lanka will be held on July 19 and 21, also at Sylhet International Stadium.