Aqib Nabi’s four-wicket spell with the second new ball helped India A dominate the first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A on day three, giving the visitors an overall lead of 170 runs.Starting the day at 113 for 2, Sri Lanka A looked in good stead and reached 300 for 5 before Nabi turned the game around with the second new ball. The Jammu and Kashmir seamer picked up four wickets as Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 330.
Prophet finished with figures of 4 for 58 in 19.4 overs. His spell helped India A secure a 122-run first innings lead after they declared 452 for 6.By stumps, India A extended their lead to 170 runs, reaching 48 without loss in the second innings.
Opener and first innings centurion Sai Sudharsen retired hurt after scoring 4. Aayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal were unbeaten with 20 runs each at the end of play.On the fourth and final day, India A is likely to bat until lunch and try to set a target of around 300 before giving the bowlers two turns to bowl over Sri Lanka A.Earlier in the day, Ashin Bandara scored 70 off 162 balls, while skipper Sahan Arashchiji scored 72 off 129 balls.
The pair added 117 runs for the third wicket and looked comfortable against 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, hitting three sixes and five fours against Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey. However, both bowlers rejected the designated hitters, with Devdutt Padikkal taking both catches.At 268 for 5, Anjala Bandara (15) and Ravindo Fernando (22) added 32 runs before India captain Dhruv Gurriel got the second new Kookaburra ball.Nabi used it immediately, dismissing both batsmen, who were caught by Padikkal and Pandey. Sri Lanka A then lost their last five wickets for 30 runs.Nabi completed his spell by trapping Shamika Gunasekara and Dulag Samudhita in front of the stumps with incoming deliveries.