Joy's century helps Bangladesh A salvage a draw against Windies

Opener Mahmudul Hasan hit an unbeaten 114 as Bangladesh A saved them from ultimate blushes by salvaging a draw in the third and final unofficial Test against West Indies A at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday, reports BSS.

Bangladesh A eventually lost the three-match series by 1-0. They drew the first Test, largely thanks to the rain before losing the second Test, which was also a rain-affected game, by three wickets. The result might have been 2-0 unless Joy came up with an unwavering resolve in the face of some disciplined West Indies attack.

Resuming the day on 47 for no loss and a requirement of 414 runs for an improbable victory, Joy showed the stubbornness that needed to save the Test from the knife-edge of a defeat.

Joy smashed 14 fours for his 268-ball knock for which he stayed in the crease for 422 minutes as Bangladesh closed the fourth and final day on 306-4, after being set 461-run to win the game.

He and his opening partnership Zakir Hasan added 93-run to the opening stand to give the side a fuel to fight back. After Zakir's departure for 43, Bangladesh experienced a hiccup as the likes of Mominul Haque (5) and captain Saif Hassan (38) were removed in quick succession.

Joy then combined for a 117-run partnership with Yasir Ali to frustrate the visitors. Yasir who looked compact was out on 67 after hitting six fours and four sixes.

Accompanied by Shahadat Hossain Dipu who was not out on 20, Joy saw off the day to salvage a draw for the side.

Earlier, electing to bat first, West Indies A put up 445 before being all out in their first innings. They thereafter took a 240-run lead, bowling Bangladesh A out for just 205.

Instead of enforcing the follow-on, the tourists chose to bat and declared the second innings on 220-5, setting a 461-run target for Bangladesh A to win the game.