Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) XI lost to the touring Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the lone warm-up one-day match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Thursday.
Sent into bat first, BCB XI made 277 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 50 overs.
In reply, Zimbabwe sailed home scoring 281 for the loss of three wickets when they had 20 balls to spare.
Bangladesh made a solid start as Imrul Kayes and Anamul Haque, the two openers contributed together 105 runs in the opening stand before Imrul Kayes was caught by MN Waller off AG Cremer.
Later, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shahriar Nafees build another notable partnership. They put on together 90 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Shahriar Nafees was caught behind by wicketkeeper RW Chakabva off AG Cremer when Bangladesh’s score was 239 for the loss of five wickets.
After dismissal of Shahriar Nafees, Bangladesh batsmen failed to make notable partnership.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 81. His 84-ball innings was studded with five fours and two sixes. Mushfiqur Rahim reached his 50-run landmark using 67 balls with two fours and two sixes.
Imrul Kayes notched up a fine 56 from 64 balls featuring five fours and two sixes while Anamul Haque made a respectable 52 off 61 balls including seven fours and a sixer.
Shahriar Nafees was the other notable run getter for Bangladesh who hit a run-a-ball 38 with four fours and a six.
LM Jongwe and AG Cremer grabbed three wickets each at the cost of 20 and 21 runs respectively.
Zimbabwe had a shaky start as the tourists lost their early two wickets for 51 runs. Pacer Shafiul Islam dismissed opener R Matumbami for just four runs and Sanjamul Islam dismissed the other opener for CJ Chibhabha for 33.
Then CR Ervine and SC Willianms rescued their team from early debacle adding together 125 runs for the third wicket partnership before SC Williams retired when the visitors’ total was 176 for the loss of two wickets.
After departure of Williams, CR Ervine and Elton Chigumbura put on together 37 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before CR Ervine was caught by Shabbir Rahman off Sanjamul Islam when Zimbabwe’s score was 213 for the loss of three wickets.
After dismissal of CR Ervine, Elton Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza guided their team to chase the winning target adding together 68 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership.
CR Ervine hit the day’s highest of 95. His 99-ball knock was decorated with nine fours and a sixer.
Elton Chigumbura remained unbeaten with 64. His 49-ball innings was laced with three sixes and four fours while SC Williams scored a worthy 54 from 57 balls with five fours and a six.
Sanjamul Islam got two wickets conceding 70 runs while Shafiul Islam took one wicket for 47 runs.
Tomorrow Bangladesh National Cricket team will take on Zimbabwe National Cricket team in the first ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The day/night affairs will start at 1.00 pm.
