Shamsur ton puts Bangladesh in control
Shamsur Rahman top scored with 125 as the Bangladesh Academy finished the first day of their match against the Sri Lanka Academy XI at 340 for 5
Cricinfo staff
10-Sep-2008
Shamsur Rahman's 125 ensured that Bangladesh Academy finished the first day of their match against the Sri Lanka Academy XI in a strong position in Dambulla. He shared a 179-run stand for the fourth wicket with Marshall Ayub, who scored a patient half-century, to lead Bangladesh Academy to 340 for 5 at stumps.
Bangladesh's openers, Imrul Kayes and Mahbubul Alam, handled the Sri Lankan fast bowlers with ease and scored 46 runs by the first drinks interval even though they were sent in on a pitch with a hint of grass. However, Alam fell for 24 when his attempt to hit offspinner Suraj Mohamed for a second six resulted in a catch at deep-midwicket. Kayes was joined by Shamsur and the pair added 38 before Kayes fell just before lunch, bowled by legspinner Seekuge Prasanna for 45.
Naeem Islam, the Bangladesh captain, looked in good nick during his 21 but his innings was cut short when he was stumped off Mohamed. Shamsur and Ayub strengthened Bangladesh's position by batting together for close to 49 overs. Chaminda Vidanapathirana finally broke the stand when he bowled Shamsur and, in the very next over, Ayub was trapped leg-before by Seekkuge Prasanna. Farhad Hossain and Suhrawadi Shuvo were both unbeaten on 15 at the close of play.
