Saif’s 146-run knock helps BD ‘A’ to strong position

Batter Saif Hassan scored a century to help Bangladesh 'A' to a strong position at the end of Day 3 of their second four-day match against hosts West Indies 'A' at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Friday. 

Resuming the day on a precarious 157 for five, Saif's gritty 348-ball 146 saw Bangladesh 'A' amass 300 for nine declared in 126.4 overs before pacer Mrittunjoy Chowdhury struck twice early to leave the hosts 43 for two after 18 overs at stumps. The hosts trail by 257 runs. 

It was Saif's knock that held the key for Bangladesh yesterday after the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Saif batted for over 42 overs today as well, smashing a total of 13 boundaries and four sixes during his patient knock that lasted over eight hours overall. 

In fact, he was the last batter to fall, off a Yannic Cariah delivery, before Bangladesh declared. 

Following Saif's gritty innings, young pacer Mrittunjoy stepped up with the ball. The 21-year-old accounted for two West Indies 'A' batters in quick succession, removing opener Jeremy Solozano (10 off 23) and Keacy Carty (0 off 7) in his successive overs.