West Indies bats have job to do after Saif’s century

A top-quality century from Saif Hassan and two quick wickets by left-arm seamer Mirttunjoy Chowdhury gave Bangladesh A the upperhand over West Indies A at the end of Day 3 of the second four-day, first-class “Test” match on Friday.

Scoreboard: https://windiescricketdomestic.com/

Resuming from an overnight 157-5, the visitors reached 300-9 declared, thanks to Saif’s marathon 146. A right-hander, Saif struck 13 fours and four sixes in a knock which came off 348 balls in 8-¼ hours.

In reply, West Indies A closed on 43-2 after Chowdhury bowled left-hander Jeremy Solozano for 10 and then had Keacy Carty caught at the wicket without scoring, edging a defensive prod at the fourth ball of his next over.

Left-hander Tagenarine Chanderpaul was left unbeaten on 21, having faced 57 balls in 1-¼ hours at the crease.

It was Saif who gave his side the upper hand, however, extending his sixth wicket stand with Zaker Ali Anik to 33 to deny the hosts any early success. Zaker faced 86 balls in 2-½ hours, providing firm support before becoming the first of leg-spinner Yannic Cariah’s two wickets.

Cariah’s other wicket proved to be that of Saif as he was ninth out skying a big shot to Justin Greaves at cover. Left arm pacer Colin Archibald (3-48) failed to add to his tally while fellow seamer Anderson Phillip (3-72) picked up two further wickets.

The match resumes on Saturday at 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica Time).