Bangladesh 'A' need something special on the third and final day to save the unofficial Test against India 'A' at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. At stumps on Monday, Day 2 of the match, the visitors were reeling at 36 for 2.
Pace spearhead Rubel Hossain was named in Bangladesh's squad for the one-off Test against India, at Fatullah, from June 10-14. Rubel, who missed the second Test against Pakistan last month due to a Grade 1 side strain, is fit to play and will replace the injured Shahadat Hossain.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan's attractive stroke-play vindicated skipper Virat Kohli's decision to bat first as India comfortably amassed 239 for no loss at stumps on the first day of their one-off Test against Bangladesh in Fatullah.
Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal scored centuries as Bangladesh took charge of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Khulna. The hosts, who plodded to 193-3 on the opening day after electing to bat, made 433 in their first innings before being dismissed in the final session of the second day.
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.
Resuming at the overnight score of 36 for 2 on Day 3, Bangladesh 'A' were shot out for 151 in 39.3 overs, with Ishwar Pandey (3-28), Jayant Yadav (3-48) and Abhimanyu Mithun (2-23) doing the bulk of damage at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said their approach made it difficult for him to even set the field for the rival batsmen.
Senior batsman Shikhar Dhawan proved his form and fitness in style before the South African series as he led India 'A's strong reply against Bangladesh 'A' with an unbeaten century on Day 1 of the only unofficial Test.
After a shock defeat against Bangladesh 'A' in the second One-dayer, India 'A' will look to get their act together and clinch the unofficial three-match ODI series as they go into the third and final match, in Bengaluru, on Sunday, with both teams locked 1-1.
South Africa made a sedate start to their second innings after conceding a 78-run first innings lead to a spirited Bangladesh on day three of the opening Test at Chittagong on Thursday.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam became the first cricketer to claim a hat-trick on his debut in a One-day International as he set up a five-wicket victory for Bangladesh over Zimbabwe on Monday.
Having outplayed Bangladesh 'A' in all the departments in the first unofficial ODI, an upbeat India 'A' will be looking to keep the winning momentum.
Ravichandran Ashwin cast his web with a five-wicket haul but Bangladesh managed to hold on for a draw despite being asked to follow-on against India, in the rain-marred one-off Test in Fatullah, on Sunday.
Star batsman Suresh Raina will look to get some batting practice ahead of the upcoming South Africa series along with some of the other fringe players as India 'A' take on Bangladesh 'A' in a three-match One-Day series, starting in Bengaluru, on Wednesday.
After a dream ODI debut last month, teenaged paceman Mustafizur Rahman announced his Test arrival by claiming three wickets in four balls as Bangladesh bowled out South Africa for 248 on the opening day of the first Test in Chittagong on Tuesday.
The International Cricket Council released the provisional squads of the 12 teams for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Friday. However, co-hosts Australia and minnows Ireland decided against releasing the provisional list although they submitted 30 names to the parent body within the stipulated deadline.