Slim lead for Bangladesh

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

Bangladesh A secured a slim first-innings lead, but rain wrecked the second day of the second four-day Test against West Indies A at the Beausejour Cricket Ground yesterday.

In the 3¹/² hours of possible play, the Windies were dismissed for 129, after resuming the day on 72 for seven in their first innings.

At the close, Bangladesh had made a safe start to their second innings, reaching 40 without loss with captain Jahurul Islam unbeaten on 24. Heavy overnight and early morning rain resulted in an impaired outfield and delayed the start until 2:30 p.m.

SCORES: BANGLADESH A 155 (Farhad Reza 39 not out, Shohag Gazi 30, Shuvagata Hom 24, Mominul Haque 20; Andre Russell 4-24, Nelon Pascal 4-60) and 40 without loss. WEST INDIES A 129 (Sunil Narine 40 not out, Rajendra Chandrika 40; Farhad Reza 3-37, Sohrawardi Shuvo 3-43, Shohag Gazi 2-23)Rajendra Chandrika, unbeaten on 30 overnight, added just 10 before falling lbw to seamer Robium Islam (2-25) with the score on 98 for eight.

Confident start

Sunil Narine, starting the day on seven, then took matters into his own hands, striking a breezy, unbeaten 40 from 62 balls. He cracked one four and three sixes, adding 31 for the ninth wicket with Shannon Gabriel (14).

Once Gabriel fell to a catch at slip off off-spinner Shohag Gazi (2-23), the innings ended swiftly as new batsman Nelon Pascal was bowled first ball by Gazi.

Opener Jahurul Islam then cracked three fours and a six as Bangladesh made a confident start; and he had powered his side to a 66-run lead when bad light ended play prematurely.