Ashraful Leads Aggressive Bangladesh Batting Effort

Ashraful Leads Aggressive Bangladesh Batting Effort

Mohammad Ashraful hit a quickfire century on the final day in Matara

©REUTERS / Action Images

Sri Lanka Emerging Players 410 drew with
Bangladeshis 479 (Mohd. Ashraful 102)
Tour game, Matara

Bangladesh warmed up for the first Test against Sri Lanka with an encouraging batting performance on the final day of their drawn tour game with a Sri Lanka Emerging Players XI.

Replying to 410, they were bowled out for 479 after Mohammad Ashraful made 102 and four other players scored half-centuries.

Mominul Haque fell for 99, Sohag Gazi was unbeaten on 82, captain Mushfiqur Rahim struck 81 and Mahmudullah made 56.

Those runs came as part of an impressive fightback after they were reduced to 45 for two in the early stages of the final day, getting valuable time at the wicket after the majority of day two was washed out.

If Jahurul Islam (29) and Anamul Haque (6) didn't take advantage, Ashraful and Mominul certainly did, as they put on 178 for the second wicket.

Ashraful made 102 from 151 balls, a confidence-boosting knock if ever there was one but after he fell, Mominul was dismissed one short of a triple-figure score, having faced 138 deliveries; both batsmen hit 11 fours and a six apiece.

The runs continued to come through Mahmudullah, who lashed three sixes in 49 balls and Mushfiqur, who blasted 81 in 69 balls.

Even their belligerence was bettered by Sohag, who thumped 82 in just 52 deliveries with 13 fours and two sixes to ensure it was the tourists who ended the game with a lead.

© Cricket World 2013