Media365
Auqib Nabi’s four-wicket spell with the second new ball helped India A take control of the first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A on the third day, giving the visitors an overall lead of 170 runs.Starting the day on 113 for 2, Sri Lanka A looked well placed and reached 300 for 5 before Nabi changed the game with the second new ball. The Jammu and Kashmir seamer picked up four wickets as Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 330.Nabi finished with figures of 4 for 58 in 19.4 overs. His spell helped India A secure a first-innings lead of 122 runs after they had declared on 452 for 6.By stumps, India A had extended their lead to 170 runs, reaching 48 for no loss in the second innings. Opener and first-innings centurion Sai Sudharsan retired hurt after scoring 4. Ayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal were unbeaten on 20 each at the close of play.On the fourth and final day, India A are likely to bat until lunch and try to set a target of around 300 before giving their bowlers two sessions to bowl out Sri Lanka A.Earlier in the day, Ashen Bandara made 70 from 162 balls, while captain Sahan Arachchige scored 72 from 129 balls. The pair added 117 runs for the third wicket and looked comfortable against both pace and spin. At one stage, Sri Lanka A were 260 for 3 and appeared to be in a strong position.Arachchige attacked the spinners, hitting three sixes and five fours against Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey. However, both bowlers dismissed the set batters, with Devdutt Padikkal taking both catches.At 268 for 5, Anjala Bandara (15) and Ravindu Fernando (22) added 32 runs before India A captain Dhruv Jurel took the second new Kookaburra ball.Nabi made immediate use of it, dismissing both batters, who were caught by Padikkal and Pandey. Sri Lanka A then lost their last five wickets for 30 runs.Nabi completed his spell by trapping Chamika Gunasekara and Dulaj Samudhita in front of the stumps with incoming deliveries.
