A 99-ball 123 from all-rounder Sabbir Rahman helped Bangladesh Cricket Board XI to clinch a thrilling one-wicket victory against visiting Pakistan at Fatulla on Wednesday.
The loss is certain to rock the Pakistan tent as the BCB XI featured only a few of the Tigers regulars who the visitors will face in the upcoming series.
Winning the toss in the warm-up match, newly appointed Pakistan captain Azhar Ali opted to bat first. Azhar (27) himself and highest-scoring Hafeez (85) gave the team a good start, but once the hosts got rid of the openers, the visitors lost wickets on regular intervals.
Fawad Alam made 67 in the middle to help Pakistan post a decent total of 268.
Chasing the target, Bangladesh lost both the openers on nine and another two by the time they reached 81.
Sabbir then came to the team’s rescue, blasting seven fours and eight sixes to bring Bangladesh back to the game. He was duly helped by Imrul Kayes and Sohag Gazi who both hit 36, but that did not seal the match.
Gazi was the ninth man to fall with the score on 259, but a boundary from each of Mohammad Shahid (12) and Taijul Islam (6) handed the hosts a thrilling win.
Source: Prothom Alo