Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam bagged three wickets and kept Bangladesh A in the hunt as the High Performance (HP) Unit ended the third day of the four-day game on 123 for four in their second innings at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi yesterday.

Despite a 50-run opening stand between Mahfizul Islam and Tanzid Hasan, HP lost way as Tanvir came into the attack and removed the Tanzid for a 45-ball 33. HP lost wickets at regular intervals afterwards, with Amite Hasan becoming Tanvir's second victim as he was trapped leg before on four.

Opener Mahfizul (27) was the third wicket to fall while Towhid Hridoy (6) departed cheaply afterwards.

Shahadat Hossain Dipu remained unbeaten on 30 along with Aich Molla (8 not). They will resume on the fourth and final day with a lead of 34 runs. Apart from Tanvir's three-wicket haul, left-arm seamer Abu Hider Rony picked up a wicket for the A team.

Earlier, after resuming on 197 for six, Bangladesh A rode on overnight batter Fazle Mahmud, who waged a lone battle to give his side an 89-run first-innings lead.

The left-hander resumed on 35 runs and finished as the top scorer for the A team as he was dismissed for a 180-ball 89 that featured 11 fours.

Naeem Islam, who injured his eye while fielding, also came out to bat and scored 21 runs before retiring hurt. Tanvir also scored some valuable runs at the end and remained not out on 23 off 35 balls.

Soumya Sarkar had lain the foundation for the A team by scoring 81 runs on the second day. Pacers led the way for the HP as left-arm seamer Mrittunjoy Chowdhury picked up three wickets while Mukidul Islam and Ripon Mondol bagged two wickets each for the bowling side.