Imrul's century saves the 'Test' for Bangladesh A

Bridgetown (Barbados), June 6 (IANS/CMC) Opener Imrul Kayes hit his eighth First Class century to salvage a draw for Bangladesh A and frustrate West Indies High Performance Centre (HPC) on the final day of their second four-day "Test" here.

Starting the day at Kensington Oval on 32 for three with only survival in mind, Bangladesh rebounded from a poor first session to finish on 242 for nine, with Imrul scoring 112, on Thursday, reports CMC.

On 13 at the start of the day, the 27-year-old batted well into the final session, to ensure the draw for the visitors. Overall, he lasted just over five and a half hours, faced 247 balls and counted 15 fours and two sixes.

At the heart of the resistance was a stubborn 89-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Imrul and Shuvogoto Hom, who struck 39, which ensured Bangladesh A batted through the post-lunch session without losing a wicket and into the final hour of play.

Impressive left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell led the attack with four for 51 while Miguel Cummins picked up two for 49.

The result handed the hosts a 1-0 victory in the series, following a massive 351-run victory in the first match last week at the Windward Cricket Club.

With the target of 490 runs a near impossibility, Imrul and Mominul Haque set their stalls from early, in a 78-run fourth wicket stand. Mominul made just 19 but occupied the crease for 107 minutes in the morning session and faced 87 balls, before being run out off the first ball of the final over before lunch.

Two deliveries later, wicketkeeper Nasir Hossain edged seamer Carlos Brathwaite to Ashley Nurse at slip, as Bangladesh A slipped further.

On 111 for five at the interval, Imrul and Shuvogoto batted sensibly thereafter.

Imrul's dismissal at 200 for six saw four wickets fall for 26 runs to create a nervous finish but wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, 13 not out, and Robiul Islam, five not out, held on doggedly.

Brief scores:

WI HPCA 354 (Leon Johnson 74, Jonathan Carter 54, Jermaine Blackwood 45, Carlos Brathwaite 42, Sheldon Cottrell 42, Sunil Ambris 34; Shuvagoto Hom 2/44, Muktar Ali 2/48) and 354 for five decl. (Jermaine Blackwood 147, Assad Fudadin 89, Leon Johnson 63; Nassir Hossain 2/52)

Bangladesh A 219 (Nassir Hossain 53, Marshall Ayub 41, Nurul Hasan 36; Sheldon Cottrell 3/30, Devendra Bishoo 3/57) and 242 for nine (Imrul Kayes 112, Shuvogoto Hom 39; Sheldon Cottrell 4/51, Miguel Cummins 2/49).