Read, Digital Desk : Aaqib Nabi, a Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler, came up with a stellar show with the second new ball on the third day of the first Test. He claimed four wickets to give India A strong lead of 170 runs against Sri Lanka A. Sri Lanka A, who started the day on 113 for 2, were well placed on 300 for 5.
Nabi then bowled well with the second new ball to dismiss the hosts for 330. Nabi grabbed 4-58 in 19.4 overs as India took a commanding first innings lead of 122 runs. India had made 452 for six in the first innings.
Sai injured.
India further cemented their position at the close of play with 48 runs on the board for no loss in the second innings but opener and first innings centurion Sai Sudharshan was forced to retire injured on 4 runs.
Opener Ayush Pandey and brilliant no 3 batsman Devdutt Padikkal were at the crease, both scoring 20 runs each. On the fourth and final day India could bat through till lunch and set a target of around 300 runs and then bowl at the opposition in the remaining two sessions.
Sri Lanka team was strong
Ashen Bandara’s 70 off 162 balls and captain Sahan Arachchige’s 72 off 129 balls showed great ease against both fast bowlers and spinners in a 117-run partnership for the third wicket on the third day. Sri Lanka were 260 for three at one stage and it seemed they would not lose any more wickets.
Waiting on the new ball
Indeed, Arachchige went after spinners Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey aggressively, hitting five fours and three sixes. But Jain and Dubey were the ultimate winners, both caught by Devdutt. India A captain Jurel waited for the second new Kookaburra ball as Anjala Bandara (15) and Ravindu Fernando (22) added 32 runs to take the score to 268 for 5.
Nabi gets the new ball.
With the new ball Nabi got rid of both Bandara and Fernando Devdutt got Bandara and Fernando went to Pandey. Sri Lanka A lost their last five wickets for just 30 runs. Nabi then bowled Chamika Gunasekara and Dulaj Samudhitha out, beating them with in-swingers onto the pads.
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