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Tour Match, Colombo (Colts), June 20 - 22, 2007, Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka
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Bangladesh frustrate Sri Lankans on rainy day

The Bangladeshis reached 245 for 8 before persistent rain caused play to be called off after just 25 overs on the second day of the tour game against Sri Lanka A

Cricinfo staff
21-Jun-2007
Bangladeshis 245 for 8 (Bashar 63) v Sri Lanka A
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Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on 33 at stumps on the second day in Colombo © AFP
The Bangladeshis reached 245 for 8 before persistent rain caused play to be called off after just 25 overs on the second day of their tour game against Sri Lanka A at the Colts Cricket Club ground in Colombo.
Resuming on an overnight score of 183 for 5, the Bangladeshis were put under pressure by the Sri Lankan bowling which conceded just three runs in the opening seven overs. They also took three quick wickets to reduce the visitors to 198 for 8 but failed to drive home the advantage.
Akalanka Ganegama dismissed Habibul Bashar, who had showed signs of regaining form after a disappointing series against India, for 63. Then, for the second time in the innings, the Bangladeshis lost two wickets in two balls. Khaled Mashud, who had laboured for 81 balls to score eight, and Mohammad Sharif were trapped in front by left-arm pacer Chanaka Welegedara.
The Sri Lankans were looking to make short work of the remaining Bangladeshi batsmen but an unbeaten 47-run stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Shahadat Hossain pushed the Bangladeshis towards a fighting score before the day's play was abandoned due to rain. Despite possessing single-digit batting averages, Hossain and Rahim kept up a brisk rate of scoring and were especially harsh on Welegedara, taking 17 runs off his last three overs.
The Bangladeshis will want to give their bowlers a workout tomorrow before deciding who will be the backup to Mashrafe Mortaza and Mohammad Rafique in the Tests. This is their only practice game before the first Test starts on Monday at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo.