Auqib Nabi sends strong message to selectors with 4-wicket haul in unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A

Auqib Nabi’s four-wicket spell with the second new ball helped India A take control of the first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A on day three, giving the visitors a total lead of 170 runs.Starting the day at 113 for 2, Sri Lanka A looked good and reached 300 for 5 before Nabi changed the game with the second new ball. The Jammu and Kashmir seamer took four wickets as Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 330.Nabi finished with figures of 4 for 58 in 19.4 overs. His spell helped India A secure a first innings lead of 122 runs after they had declared 452 for 6.Thanks to the stumps, India A extended their lead to 170 runs, reaching 48 for no loss in the second innings. Opener and first innings centurion Sai Sudharsan was injured after scoring 4. Ayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal were not out on 20 at the end of the game.On the fourth and final day, India A are likely to bat till lunch and try to set a target of around 300 before giving their bowlers two sessions to beat Sri Lanka A.Earlier in the day, Ashen Bandara made 70 off 162 balls while captain Sahan Arachchige scored 72 off 129 balls. The pair added 117 runs for the third wicket and looked comfortable against both pace and spin. At one stage Sri Lanka A were 260 for 3 and looked to be in a strong position.Arachchige attacked the spinners and hit three sixes and five fours against Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey. However, both bowlers dismissed the set batsmen and Devdutt Padikkal took both the catches.At 268 for 5, Anjala Bandara (15) and Ravindu Fernando (22) added 32 runs before India A captain Dhruv Jurel took the Kookaburra’s second new ball.Nabi immediately took advantage and dismissed both the batsmen caught by Padikkal and Pandey. Sri Lanka A then lost their last five wickets for 30 runs.Nabi completed his spell by trapping Chamik Gunasekar and Dulaj Samudhit in front of the stumps with incoming deliveries.