The lone practice match between Bangladesh Red and Green at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium in Mirpur yesterday, which the Reds won by 137 runs, was perhaps the final opportunity for some players to make an impression on national selectors.
The practice game kicked off at 12pm, the same time the upcoming tri-nation ODI series fixtures are supposed to start, in order to acclimatise with playing conditions and get an idea about the severity of the dew factor.
After electing to bat, Shakib Al Hasan’s Red posted a huge 320 for six. In reply, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s Green failed to put up any sort of fight and were all-out on 183 in 43.2 overs.
The result is irrelevant for the selectors though as they will likely announce the squad for the tri-series, comprised of hosts Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, today. However, they did keep a close eye on a possible opener alongside Tamim Iqbal and some pace bowlers.
Interestingly almost all the contenders who needed to perform failed to deliver although Tamim smashed a blistering century during his 119-ball 104, featuring ten fours and two sixes, before retiring.
Shakib came out to bat at number three but lost his wicket, after scoring 24 off 36, to pacer Taskin Ahmed, who then bowled Mushfiqur Rahim off a quick yorker with the very next ball.
Mahmudullah then scored 87 off 75 balls, including five sixes and three fours, before being bowled by medium pacer Mohammad Saifuddin, who went on to scalp Sabbir Rahman (20).
Abul Hasan scored a quick-fire 19 ball 35 with five fours and a six to help post the huge total.
Mustafizur, Saifuddin and Taskin were the pick of the bowlers for Green team as they bagged two wickets each.
The selectors were enthusiastic when Green team openers Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Mithun took the field as both batsmen had something to prove.
Soumya made a curious start, middling the ball well but the left-hander, true to nature, replicated his mistake of being sent off after being set at the crease when he handed a straight forward catch at deep mid-wicket off an Abul Hasan short delivery on 18.
Mithun played a similarly rash shot and top-edged Rubel Hossain on 32 off 43 balls.
Liton Das also flopped on 7 while Nasir Hossain was bowled by Abu Haider on 25.
Mushfiqur scored a golden duck but immediately went to the Academy ground for batting practice before returning to bat for the Green team and top scored with 44.
Haider bagged three wickets while Abu Jayed bowled in tight line to pick up a wicket giving away 31 runs from his eight overs.
Source: The Daily Star.
