Shakibs smashing knock helps Tigers to go past 250
Sports Reporter
Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan smashed 68 of 67-ball, helping Bangladesh recover from the precarious position to pile up 255 before being all out in the lone warm-up one-dayer against South Africa Invitational XI yesterday at the Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein yesterday.
Shakib who was rested in the Test series, came into the crease when Bangladesh were struggling at 63 for four, failing to deal with the rampant local bowlers who werent much known to the world cricket.
Shakib however shared two important partnerships with Mahmudullah Riyad and Sabbir Rahman to take Bangladesh in a relatively safe position. Firstly he put up a 57-run partnership with Riyad who helped himself by 21 runs.
Sabbir Rahman and Shakib combined for a 76 for the sixth wicket, an important partnership in the context of the game, which actually helped Bangladesh go past 200 plus total. As the partnership gained the momentum and Shakib dreamt for a bigger one, left arm spinner Aaron Phangiso had Shakib caught behind on 68. The all-rounder sent the ball across the rope nine times in Bangladeshs face-saving innings.
Sabbir Rahman had the chance to guide the lower order after the dismissal of Shakib Al Hasan but he followed his senior colleague soon by being dismissed on 52, a 54 ball-innings that included two fours and three sixes.
After Sabbir, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hit some lusty blow but the other lower order batsmen couldnt do so as Bangladesh failed to fill up the 50-over quota. They were bowled out in 48.1 overs.
However like the Test series, they also tasted a batting collapse after Mashrafe won the toss and elected to bat first. Fast bowler Robbie Frylinck struck in his consecutive deliveries, removing Imrul Kayes Soumya Sarkar and left Bangladesh 31 for two.
Kayes made 27 off 31 with six fours while Sarkars batting bad-patch lingered with just 3 runs. Liton Das scored 8 while Mushfiqur Rahim made 22 before fast bowler Malusi Siboto and Phangiso took them out.
Bangladesh were in danger of not going past 200 plus total even but Shakib Al Hasan proved to be the X-factor in a batting line up which was without the best batsman Tamim Iqbal.
The opener who missed the second Test recovered rapidly from the injury but he wasnt drafted into the squad as a pre-caution.
Frylinck, Siboto, Phangiso and Budaza claimed two wickets apiece for the South African Invitational XI, a team that was led by JP Duminy. AB de Villiers also made him available in the competitive match.
