Khaled leads the charge as New Zealand 'A' pegged back in Sylhet

Bangladesh 'A' pacers shone on the rain-marred opening day of the first four-day match against their New Zealand counterparts, as they reduced the visitors to 226 for eight at stumps in Sylhet on Wednesday.

Local boy Khaled Ahmed finished the day with four for 47, while fellow pacers Anamul Haque (3-31) and Ebadot Hossain (1-44) shared four wickets to put the hosts on top at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

On a day where 64 overs were possible to play after the hosts opted to field first, the match got underway following an hour-long delay. The home side capitalized on the conditions, taking regular wickets to reduce the visitors to 101 for six.

Mitch Hay then struck 68 not out and shared a 98-run stand for the seventh wicket with Dean Foxcroft (47) to bring the visitors side back into the contest. However, Khaled removed Foxcroft and also took another wicket to put his side in control before bad light stopped the day's play.

Bangladesh 'A' earlier won the preceding three-match one-day series by a 2-1 margin.