Jayed’s 4-for resuscitates BD A

Right-arm pacer Abu Jayed's four-for helped Bangladesh A register a comfortable seven-wicket win against their Afghani counterparts at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram yesterday.

After losing the first two one-dayers, this victory keeps the home side in contention in the five-match series.

Jayed, who did not make it into the squad for the Sri Lanka tour after warming the bench throughout the World Cup, had a day to remember after Bangladesh opted to field. The 25-year-old ran riot, returning impressive figures of four for 28 in 5.4 overs to help bundle out the visitors for a paltry 122 in 32.4 overs.

Jayed's early breakthroughs reduced Afghanistan to 25 for two inside five overs before off-spinner Mahedi Hasan took three quick wickets that left the tourists in deep trouble, reeling on 50 for five after 11.5 overs. It became extremely difficult for Afghanistan to mount a comeback from that dire situation and Jayed wrapped things up by picking up two more wickets at the death.

Jayed, who have felt hard done by after not being given a chance to showcase his abilities on the biggest of stages, proved a point through his performance.

Coming in to chase the below-par total, Bangladesh lost three early wickets for 48 runs in nine overs and were left in a spot of bother. However, an unbeaten 75-run fourth-wicket stand between Fazle Rabbi and Afif Hossain saw the home side over the mark with seven wickets to spare. Rabbi remained unbeaten on 57 off 79 balls while Afif scored an unbeaten 21 off 55.

SCORES IN BRIEF

AFGHANISTAN A: 122 all out in 32.4 overs (Zadran 25, Rasooli16, Ashraf 17; Jayed           4-28, Mahedi 3-24)

BANGLADESH A: 123 for 3 in 30.3 overs (Imrul 23, Fazle 57 not out, Afif 21 not out; Janat 1-25)

Result: Bangladesh A won by 7 wickets.

Player-of-the-match: Abu Jayed.