Bangladesh 'A' draw four-day Test series against Pakistan Shaheens

Bangladesh batsmen Jaker Ali and Saif Hasan have played an excellent role with impressive centuries on the second four-day match against Pakistan Shaheens to conclude the series in a draw at the Islamabad Club Cricket Oval on Friday.

The first two days of the match were washed out due to rain, but when play resumed on the third day, Jaker Ali Anik and Saif Hassan led Bangladesh to a commanding first-innings total of 404/9. Pakistan Shaheens responded strongly but were halted at 281/4 when the match ended on the fourth day.

As in first Test, the second Test also ended in a draw, leaving the series level at 0-0. Bangladesh 'A' was bolstered by two centuries, while Pakistan Shaheens' opener Ali Zaryab Asif also notched a century before retiring hurt on 117. Taskin Ahmed had earlier dismissed opener Imam-ul-Haq for a duck.

Despite losing a few top-order wickets, Pakistan Shaheens managed to avoid further trouble, with Kamran Ghulam contributing 34 runs and Saad Khan adding 37. Middle-order batsmen Shahroon Siraj (53) and Qasim Akram (36) saw out the day, helping their team to a total of 281/4. Taskin Ahmed, Ruyel Miah, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib each took a wicket for Bangladesh.

Earlier, under the captaincy of Anamul Haque Bijoy, Bangladesh 'A' was propelled by Jaker Ali’s magnificent 172 off 286 balls, which included 17 fours and 5 sixes. He reached his century the previous day and continued his fine form, crossing 150 before falling just short of 200. Saif Hassan also impressed with a well-crafted 111 off 165 balls, featuring 13 fours and 3 sixes.

Apart from Jaker and Saif, Mahidul Islam Ankon (39) and Shahadat Hossain Dipu (23) were the only other notable contributors. The duo of Jaker and Saif rescued Bangladesh 'A' from a precarious position of 77/4, helping them post a challenging total before declaring their innings.

For Pakistan Shaheens, Abrar Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 103 runs. 

Despite the match being effectively reduced to two days of play, with each team batting just once, the series concluded without a decisive result. The two teams will now face off in a three-match ODI series on August 26, 28, and 30.