Rain Cuts Short Promising Day for Bangladesh 'A' Against New Zealand 'A'

On the opening day of the second unofficial four-day Test between Bangladesh 'A' and New Zealand 'A', opener Mohammad Naim Sheikh missed out on a well-deserved century, while fellow opener Anamul Haque Bijoy fell just two runs short of a half-century. Bangladesh 'A' were well placed at 225 for 4 before rain brought an early end to the day’s play in Sylhet.

Naim looked fluent throughout his innings and was racing towards a century before a brilliant catch by Foxcroft brought his innings to an end on 82 runs off 94 balls, including 10 fours and 2 sixes. The 130-run opening stand was broken, and in the very next over, Anamul Bijoy was dismissed for 48 off 97 balls, hitting 5 fours and a six.

After the quick fall of both openers, Saif Hassan and Zakir Hasan attempted to rebuild the innings. Saif reached his fifty but was caught by Foxcroft off Jack Foulkes for 51 runs, failing to capitalize on his start. Zakir, despite getting settled, could only manage 16 runs.

Rain interrupted play with Bangladesh on 225 for 4 in 57.3 overs. The downpour continued into the afternoon, eventually forcing the umpires to call off the day’s play early. At stumps, Amit Hasan was unbeaten on 16, and Mahidul Islam Ankon was not out on 1.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh 'A' captain Nurul Hasan Sohan won the toss and elected to bat first. The hosts need a win to level the two-match series after losing the first Test by 70 runs.