Naeem saves Bangladesh the blushes

An 82 from Naeem Islam, the Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy captain, saved the visitors from an embarrassing defeat after they were reduced to 36 for 5 in their second innings against the Sri Lanka Academy. A draw seemed imminent when play started on the fourth and final day - Sri Lanka started with four wickets in hand in their first innings - but after nine wickets fell in 12.4 overs, a win for the hosts looked likely.

Resuming on 376 for 6, Sri Lanka managed to add only 21 to their overnight score. Medium-pacer Ziaur Rahman took two of those wickets: Nadeera Nawela added just one to his overnight score of 60 before he was dismissed by Rahman and Chaminda Vidanapathirana fell for a duck. Mahbubul Alam got rid of Akalanka Ganegama, who scored 40, while Suraj Mohamed didn't bat and was retired out.

Having conceded a lead of 44 in the first innings, Sri Lanka's bowlers capitalised after the opener Mahbubul Karim was run out for 8. His partner Imrul Kayes was caught-behind off the very next ball off Ganegama, and three deliveries later, Roshan Fernando made it 25 for 3 when Shamsur Rahman also offered a catch to the keeper Kaushal Silva. Ganegama struck two more blows in his first spell to leave Bangladesh tottering at 36 for 5 after 10.1 overs.

Naeem began the rescue job along with Suhrawadi Shuvo. The two added 50 in 16.3 overs for the sixth wicket before Ganegama bowled Shuvo for 29. Naeem played out the overs effectively along with the lower order. Wicketkeeper Ashiqul Islam scored a 33-ball 26 in a stand of 65 with Naeem, which lasted 14.2 overs. Sri Lanka's bowlers were to be frustrated further as the No. 9 Ziaur hung around 52 balls for his 10, as just 31 runs came in 17.5 overs. Bangladesh's innings folded soon after Ziaur's dismissal. Naeem was the last man out; he played out 183 balls for his 82. Ganegama, who has played four ODIs for Sri Lanka, finished with four wickets.

Sri Lanka's target was 235, but they faced only 12 overs before the match ended. Alam got rid of the openers, removing Yohan de Silva for 2 in the first over, before the game finished in a draw.