Bangladesh’s under-17 team has recovered well after a disappointing first innings and are in a commanding position against Sri Lanka in the opening three-day match. At the close of the second day, the hosts lead by 248 runs, with Junayed Hossain unbeaten on a fifty, inching closer to a century.
On day one at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the bowlers dominated. Batting first, Bangladesh managed 120 runs. Adrit top-scored with 36, Mohammad Rakibul Hossain made 20, while Lawrence Roy and Junayed contributed 19 each. For Sri Lanka, Manitha Rajapaksha took 4 wickets for 29 runs, and Gimhan Mendis and Himaru Dishan claimed two each.
In response, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 102, courtesy of brilliant bowling from Mahinuzzaman Mahabir and Shahidul Islam Shahid. Sanul Veraratne top-scored with 27, while Dishan made 24. Mahabir led Bangladesh’s attack with 3 wickets for 22 runs, and Akash, Nubaayet Alam, and Shahid shared two wickets each.
Chasing an 18-run lead in their second innings, Bangladesh lost 2 wickets for 28 runs by the close of day one, with a total of 22 wickets falling across both innings.
Day two saw a significant recovery. Bangladesh, at 70 for 5, were steadied by Rakibul, Junayed, and Saurav Karmakar. Rakibul fell for 41 and Saurav for 25, but Junayed held one end firmly, finishing the day unbeaten on 87 with 4 fours and a six. His partner Nubaayet remained on 1 and will continue on the final day. Of the 8 wickets that fell for Bangladesh, Dishan accounted for 6, conceding 83 runs.
