Sohan's rapid ton keeps game in balance

Nurul Hasan Sohan wafted left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox over deep mid-wicket for six to complete a morale-boosting ton on day two where Bangladesh A gained further ground in the first four-day game at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet today. But late collapse once again saw the game in balance at end of day two.

Bangladesh A were in trouble before skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan came to the crease and once he departed, the young Tigers slumped to 249 for 8.

Pacer Khaled Ahmed completed a six-fer by taking the remainder of the two New Zealand 'A' wickets in earlier in the day to bundle the visitors out for 255. Pacer Anamul Haque bagged three for 32 in 10 overs while Ebadot Hossain scalped one as all of the wickets went to the pace unit. Following rain interruption, Bangladesh 'A' slumped to 81 for four. Zakir Hasan and Anamul Haque struck 12 and 24 respectively while Mahmudul Hasan Joy managed 18.

Amite Hasan perished for 25 soon after Sohan came to the crease before Sohan and Mahidul Islam's lower middle-order resistance produced a 132-run stand for the fifth wicket. Sohan did the bulk of the scoring during the partnership and he did so quickly to push New Zealand 'A' on the back foot, notching his ton in 74 deliveries with 11 fours and five sixes.

Ankon persevered for during a patient 79-ball 25 but both Ankon and Sohan departed in back-to-back overs, leaving Bangladesh 'A' struggling at 215 for 6 before Nayeem Hasan's 20 and Hasan Murad's unbeaten 13 saw the hosts reach 249 for 8, still trailing by seven runs.

Earlier Kiwi medium pacer Joshua Andrew Clarkson used the overcast conditions to good effect, picking up Zakir, Joy and Ankon to complete a four-fer for 44 runs.

The balance of the four-day match has swung like a pendulum over the course of two days as earlier on day one the visitors struggled from 101 for 6 to reach 255 thanks to Mitchell Hay's 81 and Dean Foxcroft's 47 during an 88-run stand.