After conceding a five-wicket defeat in the unofficial first practice match, Bangladesh again lost to Cricket Australia XI by six wickets in the second practice match held at Allan Border Field in Queensland, Australia on Thursday.
In the day’s match, a top order batting collapse with Ashton Turner taking 4 wickets for 30 runs resulted in the Tigers’ mediocre score of 193 in 43.1 overs, riding on Nasir Hossain’s team highest 52 runs.
In reply, Cricket Australia XI easily reached the target for 4 wickets in 41.5 overs, also spurred by skipper Ashton Turner’s unbeaten 71 runs.
Bangladesh faced early jolt losing Anamul Haque (6) and Soumya Sarkar (15) for 23 runs in 5.3 overs, as they elected to bat first after winning the toss.
Top order collapse continued to reduce the Tigers to 57 for 5 in 16.1 overs. Number four Mahmudullah played a sensible knock, with a steady 36 off 57 balls with two fours, but the other top and middle order batsmen-Mominul Haque (13), Shakib Al Hasan (2) and Mushfiqur Rahim (8) — failed to stay with him.
Number eight Nasir Hossain scored 52 off 56 balls with seven fours while Sabbir Rahman carried on his good form, scoring 33 off 30 balls with two fours and two sixes. Arafat Sunny (14) was the other double digit scorer for Bangladesh.
On his way to the four-wicket haul, Ashton Turner grabbed ace all rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Test and T20 captain Mushfiqur Rahim, polish finisher Nasir Hossain and Arafat Sunny for 30 runs in 10 overs.
Harry Conway and Timm van der Gugten took two wickets each for 23 and 26 runs respectively in 7 and 6.1 overs while Alex Gregory took one wicket for 9 runs in 4.1 overs.
Shakib Al Hasan played the role of stand in captain for the Tigers as skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was rested for the match due to slight niggles. Taskin Ahmed was also not played and instead Al Amin Hossain got a chance.
Ashton Turner stayed on one-end to score team highest unbeaten 71 runs off 103 balls with six fours and two sixes for Cricket Australia while they opened with Michael Clarke who scored 34 runs off 36 balls with six fours.
Opener J Pierson (29) and William Bosisto (21) and Ben McDermott (not out 18) were the other double digit contributors for the Cricket Australia side.
Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar and Al Amin Hossain took one wicket each for 14, 21, 23 and 46 runs respectively in 6, 7, 7 and 8 overs.
Bangladesh will play two official warm up matches before starting the main campaign of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
In the first warm up match on Monday (February 9), Bangladesh will face Pakistan at Blacktown Olympic Park Oval, Sydney while they will meet Ireland in the second warm up match on Thursday (February 12) at the same venue.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh: 193 for all in 43.1 overs; Nasir Hossain 52, Mahmudullah 36, Sabbir 33, Ashton Turner 4/30, Harry Conway 2/23, Timm van der Gugten 2/26, Alex Gregory 1/9.
Cricket Australia XI: 194 for 4 in 41.5 overs; Turner not out 71, Clarke 34, J Pierson 29, William Bosisto 21, Ben McDermott not out 18, Mahmudullah 1/14, Sabbir Rahman 1/21, Soumya Sarkar 1/23, Al Amin Hossain 1/46.
