Shahbaz Nadeem takes 10 as India 'A' edge closer to victory against West Indies 'A'

The Indian 'A' side were all smiles at the end of Day 3 as they found themselves just 68 runs short of completing a victory in the first unofficial Test against West Indies 'A'. Jharkhand spinner Shabaz Nadeem, who took a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the match, repeated his heroics yet again in the second innings, as he ran through the Windies top order on Day 3. 

After resuming the day on 299/8, the Indian team were only able to add 12 runs to their overnight score, as they were dismissed for 312, with Wriddhiman Saha (66) and Shivam Dube (71) posting half-centuries for the visitors. In response, despite getting off to a good start, the Windies batsmen crumbled to the control and consistency of Nadeem, as they were eventually bowled out for 180, setting India 'A' a meager target of  97 runs to win the match. 

Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran started the chase off briskly, raising to 23* striking three boundaries, but Priyank Panchal didn't have the best of days, as he was caught off the bowling of off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for just five runs. India ended the day on 29/1, needing just another 68 runs to win, with Easwaran and Shubman Gill set to take the field for the visitors on Day 4. 

The Indian 'A' side led by Shreyas Iyer had earlier won the unofficial 5-match ODI series 4-1, which sparked senior call-ups for Iyer and Manish Pandey.