Soumya scores 81 but HP pacers keep BD A in check

Pacers were able to get a lot of purchase in Rajshahi but Soumya Sarkar's 81-run knock helped Bangladesh A reach 197 for six against the High Performance (HP) squad on the second day of their four-day encounter at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium today.

Soumya, who is out of the national set-up, smashed ten fours and two sixes during his 136-ball stay before becoming pacer Mukidul Islam's second victim.

But it was the seamers who once again made the ball tack on the green Rajshahi pitch. Pacer Mukidul and Under-19 pace-bowling all-rounder Ripon Mondol bagged two wickets each as they helped HP side keep BD A side batters under constant pressure. 

Naim Sheikh, on nine, was the first to be dismissed while Imrul Kayes departed after scoring 24 runs. Fazle Mahmud and Soumya added 76 runs for the fourth wicket before Mukidul removed the latter to bring HP back in the game. Fazle remained not out on 35 runs.

Earlier, resuming the second day on 176 for six, HP were bundled out for 227. For HP, Akbar Ali top-scored with 41 off 70 deliveries while Mrittunjoy Chowdhury added 37 runs. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan picked up five wickets conceding 67 runs from 18.1 overs while right-arm pacer Hasan Mahmud took three wickets for the A team.