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 well set and reached 300 for 5 before Nabi changed the game with the second new ball. The Jammu and Kashmir seamer claimed 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 122-run first innings lead after posting 452 for 6.Judging by the stumps, India A extended their lead to 170 runs, reaching 48 not out in the second innings. Opener and first innings centurion Sai Sudharsan retired injured after scoring 4. Ayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal were unbeaten with 20 each 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 bowl out Sri Lanka A.Earlier in the day, Ashen Bandara scored 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 both in terms of pace and spin. At one stage, Sri Lanka A were 260 for 3 and appeared to be in a good position.Arachchige attacked the spinners, hitting three sixes and five fours against Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey. However, both bowlers dismissed set shots and Devdutt Padikkal took both 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 of this, 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 Chamika Gunasekar and Dulay Samudhita in front of the stumps with the deliveries coming.
