Islam leads Bangladesh's steady reply

Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy 310 for 8 (Kayes 67, Sunny 63, Islam 73*) lead Sri Lanka Academy XI 252 by 52 runs
Scorecard

Half-centuries by Imrul Kayes, Arafat Sunny and Naeem Islam helped Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy to a first-innings lead of 58 against Sri Lanka Academy XI at the Premadasa Stadium. Bangladesh were helped by a handful of partnerships in the middle order which took them past Sri Lanka's score to end the day at 310 for 8.

Resuming their overnight score of 33 for 1,, Kayes and Sunny took control in the morning, adding 83 for the second wicket within 21 overs. Kayes fell for a brisk 67 off 76 balls, dealing mostly in boundaries, before falling to the legspin of Jeewan Mendis. Sunny and Shamsur Rahman then added 44 for the third wicket before Sri Lanka brokethrough for the second time in the day. Chaminda Vidanapathirana was the successful wicket-taker, getting Rahman to edge behind the wicket for 38.

The Sri Lankans couldn't effect any quick breakthroughs in the middle order as they allowed another partnership to develop. Islam joined Sunny and the pair added a further 68, before the offspinner Thilina Masmulla dismissed Sunny lbw for 63.

Marshall Ayub departed shortly after for 1, before Islam and Farhad Hossain frustrated the home side with a stand of 51 for the sixth wicket. The Sri Lankans hit back late in the day to claim three wickets for the addition of 17 runs before stumps, but Bangladesh's captain, Islam, stood firm with an unbeaten 73. Mendis picked up two of those wickets, but was a tad expensive, leaking 61 off 11 overs.