T20 Practice Match South Africa Vs BCBXI Played at Fatullah, July 3 ,2015 BCB XI  99 All out in 18 overs ( Imrul Kayes 29, Shubhagato Hom 18, Sohag Gazi 13 , D Weiss 3/13, K Abbott 2/2 , AM Phangiso 2/19 ) lost to South Africa 101 for 2 ( de Kock retired out 35 ,de Villiers retired out 25, D Miller 29* and JP Duminy 17*) by 8 Wickets

Score card tell the story
It could not be any better the way the month long tour of strong South African Cricket team to Bangladesh was launched yesterday pulverizing a pathetic BCB XI to pulp with a massive 8 wickets or actually 10 wickets pounding in a T20 practice match. True the team that BCB pushed forward was possibly an apology of a cricket team playing against a leading international side, but the way the protean delivered must give a wakeup call for the BCB think tank. It is not possibly right to let the tourists make a bulldogging start.  It was a cake walk or a pleasant jogging in the morning in the greens of Ramna Park.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first was the only positive for the home side. Perhaps a brief innings of 29 by the test opener and captain Imrul Kayes was the only substance of the brief Bangladesh innings of 99 all out in 18 overs. Eight out of the 11 players could not even reach double figures. South Africans strolled past meager BCB XI set target in only 12 overs with their 4 top order batsmen having some limbering up exercise on the 22 yards. Bangladeshi bowlers could not manage to get any wickets. de Kock and de Villiers were retired out to let Duminy and Miller have feel of Bangladesh wicket and environment. The contest was a farce for which fans gatecrashed and created big hue and cry.

We agree that Bangladesh wanted to hide its strength and protect their main weapons. We agree that many quality youngsters who could be fielded are also on a tour to South Africa with the Under 19 squad. But the sad failures of Anamul and Rony were also noticable. KJ Abbott accounted for both in his 2 overs. Luckily for Bangladesh du Plessis did not use his full quota or it could be still more pathetic for BCB XI. As many as 9 South African bowlers bowled the 18 overs. Still batsmen could not take any liberty demonstrating the pathetic lack of experience of playing T20 matches.

Bangladeshi batsmen could strike only 6 fours in the entire 18 overs stay 3 of which came from skipper Kayes alone. All-rounder Subhagato chipped in with 18 striking two boundaries. Selectors try to press Abul Hasan into the side often as an all-rounder. But he could neither impress with the bat scoring only 5 over 9 balls stay nor with the ball giving away 12 runs in only over he bowl.

There was nothing special of mentioning about the batting of South African against friendly fire of BCB XI bowling. The matter of interest was watching Al Amin, Abdur Razzak and Sohag Gazi in actions again. We think with bare minimum run cushion to defend against a very formidable batting line up Al Amin and Abdur Razzak did not do all that bad. Al Amin gave away 12 runs in 2 overs and Razzak 30 in his four. De Kock, de Villiers, Duminy and David Miller (all dangerous “D”) had useful knocking around We are not sure what BCB think tank wanted to achieve fielding under strength below par team appearing against a very strong opposition. South Africans are too strong; too professional a team for taking for a ride. BCB XI batsmen looked pretty ordinary against D Wiese and K Abbott. The attack in T20 international will be far more incisive. The task of Bangladesh batsmen and bowlers tomorrow is well cut out.

Sometimes wise men get caught napping. We are not sure BCB planners were wise yesterday and must carry out soul searching for the abysmal performance of the BCBXI.

South Africa : Q de Kock, AB de Villers , JP Duminy , DA Miller, F. du Plessis , RR Russouw, K Rabada,AM Phangiso, WD Parnell ,BE Hendricks.
BCBXI : Anamul Huq , Rony Talukdar , Imrul Kayes,Shykat Ali, Shbhagato Hom, Mosaddeq Hossain, Mahmudul Hasan, Sohag Gazi , Abul Hasan, Abdur Razzak , Kamrul Hasan Rabbi.

We cannot blame the team much. Such an understrength team against a very strong side cannot be expected to do any better. No player can be judged from such a match of uneven contest.

What now BCB think-tank do with Rony and Gazi? Can they feature in T20 international? Why not Rubel and someone else like Mominul could be given some useful practice?

We are aware that Mashrafe Squad will be far more competitive. But a win is always a win. South Africans made a winning start.

BDST: 0845 HRS, JULY 04, 2015
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