The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The 3rd three-day match between English county side Leicestershire and Bangladesh A is heading towards a draw on the 3rd and final day at the Grace Roard, Leicester Friday.

Earlier, the previous two rain-affected three-day matches of the second string Bangladesh side against England Under-19 and Warwickshire ended in draws.

After having a 24-run 1st innings lead, the hosts took an overall 67-run lead without loss scoring 43 runs in 9 overs in their second innings on the final day when last report came in.

TJ New and HH Dippenaar were batting with 24 and 10 runs respectively.

Earlier, replying to Leicestershire's 1st innings total of 354/4, the Bangladesh A side responded well as they posted 330 for all in 97.5 overs riding on three fifties from Tamim Iqbal, Nazimuddin and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Resuming with overnight 215/3, the visitors were unable take lead as they lost the last seven wickets at regular intervals to trail by 24 runs in the first innings.

After the departure of skipper Junaed Siddiqui for 25 leaving team total at 44, another opener Tamim Iqbal along with number three Nazimuddin put up valuable 132 runs in the 2nd wicket stand before Tamim returned to the pavilion contributing innings highest 78 off 164 balls with 14 fours.

Nazimuddin was the 2nd highest scorer for the visitors with 75 runs off 122 balls that featured 11 fours and two sixes while wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim remained not out on 60 off 82 balls that included 10 fours.

Rokibul Hasan 19, Shakib Al Hasan 18, Nayeem Islam 16 were the other notable scorers for Bangladesh A.

JKH Naik captured three wickets for 70 runs while TC Smith, DT Rowe and SJ Cliff took two wickets apiece.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh A team will play the 4th match against Derbyshire July 21-23 and the 5th three-day match against a South African selection on July 25-27.

After the three-dayers, Bangladesh A will play three one-day matches against Lancashire on July 30, Marylebone Cricket Club on August 1 and Durham on August 3.