Nasum impresses in defeat as NZ ‘A’ avoid series whitewash

New Zealand 'A' earned a consolation four-wicket victory over Bangladesh 'A' in the third and final one-dayer at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground on Saturday.

After losing the opening two one-dayers in the series to concede the series, the visitors put up a fighting performance for the first time, particularly their bowlers as the hosts were bundled out for 227 runs in 47.3 overs after asked to bat.

Bangladesh 'A' could have been dismissed much earlier, having been reduced to 146-7, but their number eight Nasum Ahmed struck 67 off 96 balls and shared two crucial stands of 34 and 47 runs, respectively, with Nayeem Hasan (10) and Ebadot Hossain (12 not out) for the eighth and tenth wickets to lend their innings some respectability. Yasir Ali also contributed with 63 runs.

For New Zealand 'A', Adi Ashok claimed 3-44, while Ben Lister, Jayden Lennox and Dean Foxcroft each took two wickets.

The visitors, in reply, got off to a strong start as their openers Rhys Mariu (33) and Dale Phillips (34) shared a 77-run stand at a brisk pace.

Bangladeshi spinners Nasum, Nayeem and Mosaddek Hossain dragged their side back into the contest by taking two wickets each to restrict the visitors to 166-6, but an unbroken 65-run stand for the seventh wicket between Dean Foxcroft (36 not out) and Zak Foulkes (28 not out) carried them to victory with 10 balls to spare.

The home side had earlier won the opening two matches by seven wickets and 87 runs respectively.

The two sides will now play a two-match four-day series, with the first game starting on May 14 in Sylhet. The second match will be held in Mirpur from May 21.