Tigers twitted despite chasing a huge target in the lone practise match before all important ODI series against Sri Lanka. The series win will elevate Bangladesh in comfortable position closer to Sri Lanka and clear of Pakistan and West Indies. 

Usually a team crumbles chasing a huge target of 354 in ODI against a home team whether it is an official match or a practice match. But Bangladesh now is a changed team giving its best in any match especially if it is in shorter version format. Prior to commencement of three matches ODI series against Sri Lanka charismatic Mashrafee led tiger Sqaud played its only practice match against Sri Lanka board president XI staffed with top Lankan players at Colombo Cricket Club Ground. The wicket was flat batting paradise. Possibly to give his bowlers a long run for choosing the options for main matches Mashrafee let home side bat first after winning the toss. The wicket was bowler’s graveyard having no movement, pace or turn. Board president XI presented a daunting task for tigers chasing 355 in 50 overs. Undaunted by the huge score Bangladesh riding on tsunami style batting of never say die Mashrafee made it a thrilling encounter falling short by only two runs. Mahmudullah remained unbeaten with well compiled 72, Mosaddeq , Shabbir, Soumya , Mushfique all contributed. This match announced the nature of mouth-watering contests that cricket world can expect in the ensuing three matches encounter of the two evenly matched teams. Bangladesh rested Tamim, Shakib and Mustafiz the three key players expected to shine in the series. The outstanding feature of the match was return to form of prolific Mahmudullah whose bat was not talking off late. Is not he one of the main stays of Bangladesh success in ODI in recent times? More importantly he appeared on a near match winning partnership with his captain Mashrafee who almost pulled off what could be a dramatic win. Bangladesh could reach 352 /8 and eventually lost by 2 runs. Captain courageous Mashrafee sparkled striking four fours and four sixes in his 35 balls 58. Shabbir top scored with 72. Tried and tested Mahmudullah bounced back with an unbeaten 71. Young Mosaddeq again showed maturity scoring 53 off 50 under pressure.

Earlier Bangladesh chase of the mammoth target was jolted by first ball dismissal of Imrul Kayes. Two youngsters Soumya and Shabbir batted brilliantly keeping Bangladesh in the hunt. Soumya failed to reach half century. But Shabbir went on and with Mushfique kept the tempo till a mini middle order collapse saw Bangladesh drift to 239/7 in 38.35 overs. Captain Mashrafee joining Mahmudullah ran riot adding 101 in 9.4 overs reaching 340/8 by 48.3 overs. Bangladesh required 15 runs off 9 remaining balls when Mashrafee returned. Mahmudullah and Saifudding could add 12 and thereby lost the thrilling encounter by 2 runs.

Sent in to bat board president XI made merry on an easy paced wicket giving no assistance to any bowling scored a huge 354/7 in allotted 50 0vers spurred by the 2nd wicket stand of 114 in 17 overs between lefthander Sandun Weerakkody and wicketkeeper batsman Kusal Perera.Sandun Weerakkody got out for 67 off 54 balls. KusalPerera retired after scoring 64 off 78 balls with four boundaries at 188/3.

Dhananjaya de Silva was run out for 52 runs while Thisara Perera added 42. Milinda Siriwardana captaining in the match scored 32 runs while Chaturanga de Silva (28), Dasun Shanaka (26*) and opener Dilshan Munaweera (24) were the other notable scorers.

Bangladesh bowlers toiled on the bowler’s graveyard leaking too many easy runs for comfort. Taskin, Sunzamul, Abul Hasan and Mashrafee managed to take one wicket each. Shubhagato and Mosaddeq proved easy picking with their spins. One Nasir Hossain was possibly missed again yesterday for his batting, bowling and fielding.  Bangladesh will play two-day night white ball 50 overs encounter on March 25 and 28 at Rangiri Dambula International stadium and the third at Sinhalese Sports Club Colombo on April 1, 2017. The practice match could assist team management in settling the team for first ODI at least.

Our suggested team may be ‘

Tamim, Soumya, Shabbir, Mahmudullah, Shakib, Mushfique, Mosaddeq, Mashrafee , Rubel, Taskin and Mustafiz 

Bangladesh should play with four pacers . Shakib , Mahmudullah , Mosaddeq and Shabbir can take care of spin department. Shubhagato did not look impressive at all. Sending back Mehedi Miraj was definitely a mistake.

A series win of ODI will close the gap with Sri Lanka and place Bangladesh in advantageous position for automatic qualification for the next ICC world cup 2019.

BDST: 1530 HRS, MAR 23, 2017
AP