McAllister's first-class best the highlight in weather-hit draw

Posted By on May 19, 2023

West Indies A 427 for 7 dec (McKenzie 86, Athanaze 85, Chanderpaul 83, Da Silva 77, Sinclair 53*, Musfik 3-54, Nayeem 2-116) drew with Bangladesh A 264 (Saif 95, Jaker 64*, McAllister 5-60, Reifer 2-44, Jordan 2-53) and 187 for 7 (Shadman 64, Motie 2-13, McAllister 2-48)

Jair McAllister picked up a match haul of 7 for 108, but rain and bad light played a major part as the first four-day match between Bangladesh A and West Indies A in Sylhet ended in a draw. West Indies dominated proceedings for most of the four-day game, even enforcing a follow-on on the third day. But with only 49.1 overs possible on the final day, they were unable to force a result.

There were five half-centurions in West Indies A’s first innings as they declared on 427 for 7 on the third morning. In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 264 in their first stint, with McAllister claiming his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Following-on, Bangladesh finished the game on 187 for 7, with Shadman Islam crafting a half-century.

Joshua Da Silva‘s decision to bat first paid off as West Indies took a cautious approach on the first two truncated days. Openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie set the tone with a 130-run first-wicket stand .After Raymon Reifer fell cheaply, Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze put on a 121-run stand for the third wicket. McKenzie, Athanaze and Chanderpaul all got out in the 80s, with McKenzie’s 86 the top score. He struck 12 fours and a six in his 124-ball stay.
Brandon King fell for a duck but captain Da Silva and Kevin Sinclair scored fifties adding 110 runs for the seventh wicket. Da Silva declared the innings upon his dismissal for 77. Fast bowler Musfik Hasan took three wickets while offspinner Nayeem Hasan picked up two.
In reply, while Islam fell early, Saif Hasan kept the innings on track with a sparkling 71-ball 95, which included 14 fours and two sixes. He added a 101-run stand with captain Afif Hossain, who made 45, for the fourth wicket before both fell in quick succession.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali struck 64 but the West Indians picked up the last five wickets for 80 runs to take a 163-run first-innings lead. Fast bowlers accounted for nine of the ten wickets to fall. McAllister picked five while Akeem Jordan and Reifer took two wickets each.

Bangladesh A lost two early wickets in their second innings after being made to bat again, but Shadman and Mahmudul Hasan Joy bailed them out with a 66-run third-wicket stand. Jaker and Rishad Hossain closed out the fourth day with their 55-run unbroken stand for the eighth wicket. McAllister and Gudakesh Motie took two wickets each in Bangladesh’s second innings.

The second match of this three-match series will also be played in Sylhet, from May 23.

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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