A all round performance by Soumya Sarker enabled Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) XI to make a winning start in the down under as they defeated Sydney Sixers by seven wickets in the rain-curtailed practice held on Wednesday at North Sydney in Oval.
After the completion of Sydney Sixers’ innings, rain delayed the start of BCB innings. The match officials had to curtail the match overs and set a fresh 84 runs winning target from eight over under the lights for Bangladesh.
BCB XI openers Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar opened the innings and from the word go meant business as they scored a quick fire 17 runs in the very first overs to set the tempo.
South paw opener Soumya (20), who had not enjoyed the best of form lately, finally got among the runs provided his team a start badly needed to chase such a challenging target.
Despite a blistering start, BCB XI faced little wobble losing three wickets inside eight runs, but reliable Mahmudullah Riyad (28 not out off only 12 balls )and defiant Mushfiqur Rahim (15not out off 8 balls) ) cracked some timely boundaries and took their team home scoring 8 4 for 3 in 6.4 overs.
Earlier, Sydney Sixers, rode on openers Jason Roy and Dan Hughes breezy 64 runs opening stand in only six overs without the loss of any wickets, rattled up 169 from their allotted 20 overs, after BCB XI captain Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and put Sydney to bat first.
Hughes top-scored with 47 from 31 while Roy hammered 42 from 23 to keep the score board ticking at tremendous pace from the word go. Jordan Silk provided the late surge by hitting 35 from 29 balls.
BCB bowlers fought back after the opening onslaught and managed to contain the high flying host batsmen with some quick wickets late in the innings.
Rookie bowler Soumya Sarkar captured three wickets while Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed shared two wickets apiece.
Bangladesh’s next practice match will be against Sydney Thunder on Saturday (December 17).
Brief Score Sydney Sixers: 169 for 7 (20 overs) Hughes 47, Roy 42, Silk 35, Soumya 3-5, Taskin 2-38, Taijul 2-38, Mashrafe 1-29
BCB XI: 84 for 3 in 6.4 overs (Target 84 in 8 overs) Mahmudullah 28 not out (12 balls), Soumya 20 (9 balls), Mushfiqur 15 not out (8 balls), Kayes 12 (7 balls)
