Omair Bin Yousuf helps Pakistan Shaheens set huge target for Bangladesh A

DARWIN: Omair Bin Yousuf struck an unbeaten century after Khurram Shahzad’s six-wicket haul to keep Pakistan Shaheens in command against Bangladesh A on day three in the first four-day match at the DXC Arena.

Pakistan Shaheens set Bangladesh A a mammoth target of 428 runs, in response they scored 20-0 in seven overs to close the day. Bangladesh A now require 408 runs to win the match on the last day tomorrow.

Earlier on day three, Bangladesh A resumed their innings from the overnight score of 203-4 before succumbing to 266 all out in 76.2 overs as Shaheens took no time in wrapping up their innings.

Shahadat Hossain was stranded for 36 not out while none of the batters apart from Rejaur Rehman Raja (32) offered any resistance as their team added only 63 runs for six wickets leaving a deficit of 201 runs.

Khurram Shahzad was the chief destroyer as he dismissed five batters in the first session claiming figures of 6-72 in 21.2 overs, his sixth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Mohammad Ali finished with 2-64 in 22 overs, while also holding up one end on the morning of day three. Shahnawaz Dahani had one scalp to his name.

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With a lead of 201 runs, Pakistan Shaheens began their second innings copping two early blows. Haseebullah departed for a six-ball duck while Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for eight, leaving Shaheens 20-2 in 5.1 overs.

Omair Bin Yousuf and Mubasir Khan, promoted up the order, put on a mammoth 177-run third-wicket partnership to help Pakistan extend the lead over 400-mark.

Mubasir missed out on his fourth first-class century as he got out after scoring a gutsy 95 from 134 balls with the help of eight boundaries and one six.

Meanwhile, Omair, playing his 50th first-class game, registered his 11th ton in the format. The declaration call came right after he reached his ton, with Shaheen’s scorecard reading 226-3 in 47.2 overs, setting Bangladesh 428 runs to win.

Omair Bin Yousuf remained unbeaten at 100 from 123 balls, which featured six boundaries and two sixes.

Bangladesh bowlers toiled throughout the innings as Ripon Mondol, Rejaur Rehman and Mukidul Islam picked up one wicket each.

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