Foxcroft Fights Alone as New Zealand 'A' Bowled Out for 147 in Sylhet

New Zealand 'A' crumbled under the might of Bangladesh 'A’s bowling unit in Sylhet, folding for just 147 runs in 34.3 overs despite a lone battle by Dean Foxcroft. The visitors lost five batters for ducks and were staring down the barrel at 85 for 9 before Foxcroft’s counterattacking 72 lifted them to a somewhat respectable total.

Winning the toss and opting to bat at the Sylhet International Stadium, the Kiwis had no answer to Bangladesh’s new-ball onslaught. Shoriful Islam and Khaled Ahmed ran riot early, reducing the visitors to 13 for 4. Shoriful removed Dale Phillips and skipper Nick Kelly (both for ducks), while Khaled trapped Matt Boyle LBW and dismissed Mohammad Abbas in successive deliveries.

Ebadot Hossain then broke a brief 35-run stand between opener Rhayes Mariu and Josh Clarkson. From 48 for 5, wickets continued to tumble, with left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam bagging three middle and lower-order wickets, including Mariu.

At 85 for 9, the innings looked set for a quick finish. However, Dean Foxcroft launched a valiant rearguard, smashing 72* off 64 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. He added crucial runs with the last man before Ebadot finally ended the innings.

Bangladesh’s pace trio — Shoriful (2), Khaled (3), and Ebadot (2) — combined for seven wickets, while Tanvir Islam added three of his own in a brilliant spin spell.

Bangladesh 'A' now need just 148 runs to take a 1–0 lead in the series with what should be a comfortable chase on a helpful Sylhet surface.