The touring Bangladesh ‘A’ batsmen came up with a better show on the second day of their three-day match, posting 188 for three in their second innings after Ranji Trophy champions Karnataka scored 287 in their first essay and took a handy lead of 129 runs, in Mysuru, on Wednesday.
Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy scored 89 off 87 balls and Litton Kumar Das was unbeaten on 37 as the visitors led by 59 runs, with seven wickets in hand, going into the final day’s play.
Karnataka’s veteran off-spinner Udit Patel had a good day, first contributing 40 with the bat and then picking two wickets for 44, including that of the rampaging Bijoy and skipper Mominul Haque.
Bijoy's innings was studded with eight fours and five huge sixes.
Karnataka still have a chance of scoring an outright victory. For that they need to restrict Bangladesh in the range of 150 and have sufficient time to chase down the runs.
Resuming on Day 2, at 163 for six, Shishir Bhavane (88) and Jagadeesha Suchith (41) added 127 runs for the seventh wicket to lay the foundation for the 100-plus lead.
Bhavane's innings of 175 balls contained 13 boundaries and two sixes. He was out caught by Litton off leg-spinner Jubair Hossain.
Once Bhavane and Suchith were out in quick succession, the last two wickets added 60 runs, courtesy Udit's 60-ball-40 that had three fours and as many sixes.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh ‘A’: 138 and 188-3 (Anamul Haque Bijoy 89, Litton Das 37 batting, Udit Patel 2-44)
Karnataka: 287 in 92.3 overs (Shishir Bhavane 88, Jagadeesha Suchith 41, Udit Patel 40, Shuvagato Hom 4-45, Saqlain Sajib 4-85).