Sports Desk:

Nasum Ahmed’s all-round effort went in vain as New Zealand A defeated Bangladesh A by four wickets in the third and final match of the three-match unofficial ODI series at Ground-2 of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a modest target of 226 runs set by the hosts, the visitors got over the line with 10 balls to spare, thanks to a crucial lower-order stand between Dean Heaphy and Zakary Foulkes.

The pair added a match-winning 65-run partnership to seal the consolation victory.

Earlier, New Zealand A openers Dale Phillips and Rhys Mariu gave their side a solid start, targeting Bangladesh A’s pacers—especially Ebadat Hossain. The duo put on 77 runs before Nasum dismissed Mariu for a 33-ball 33. Phillips soon followed, bowled by Nayeem Hasan’s sharp turn after making 34.

Mosaddek Hossain then removed Kiwi skipper Nick Kelly for 19, triggering a middle-order collapse as Bangladesh A’s spinners choked the run flow and claimed three more wickets to shift momentum.

However, Michael Foxcroft and Foulkes steadied the chase with a gritty seventh-wicket partnership. After weathering the spin threat, they accelerated against the pacers to get the job done.

Foxcroft scored 36 off 43 balls, while Foulkes made 28 off 42. Nasum, Nayeem, and Mosaddek bagged two wickets each.

Earlier with the bat, Bangladesh A had a shaky start. Mohammad Naim (4) fell in the first over, while Anamul Haque (2) departed in the fourth, leaving the hosts in early trouble. The score soon became 54/4.

Yasir Ali, however, anchored the innings with valuable partnerships—first with Nurul Hasan, then Mosaddek, and finally Nasum. Yasir struck a fluent 63 off 65 balls, including seven boundaries and three sixes, before falling to Ben Lister with the score at 146/7.

Nasum then guided Bangladesh A to a competitive total with a fighting 67 off 97 deliveries, laced with nine fours and a six—his highest score in List A cricket.