Tigers lose 1st practice match in NZ

Mustafiz returns with bang taking a brace

Bangladesh made a disappointing start to the New Zealand tour as they suffered a three-wicket defeat to New Zealand XI in their lone practice match yesterday at Cobham Oval, Whangarei. 

Despite the defeat Bangladesh left with satisfaction that fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman bowled with full-fledge run up and without any trouble which came as a huge confidence-booster for them ahead of the three-match ODI series. It was the first match for the fast bowler in five months after his operation on the shoulder.
The left arm fast bowler who got the news of being first Bangladeshi player to win an ICC award when he was announced Emerging Player of the Year, during the game, claimed two for 39 in seven overs. 
In a rain-reduced 43 overs a side, Bangladesh piled up 245 for eight after opting to bat first but then only saw New Zealand XI overhauling the target with eight balls to spare, losing seven wickets. 
Left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan snapped up three for 41 in seven overs to complement Mustafizur’s bowling. Mustafiz gave the side an early breakthrough with the wicket of opener Ryan Duffy for four, raising the prospect of helping Bangladesh to win the game.
But Ben Smith and Bharat Popli combined for an 88-run partnership for the second wicket to ease the pressure.
Shakib Al Hasan struck thrice in his consecutive two overs, leaving New Zealand XI 108 for four from 94 for one. His scalp included Smith who scored 50, Popli (45) and skipper Cole McChonchie for duck. 
The home side’s situation was compounded when Ken McClure was run out for 10 with the side at 128 for five. But Ben Horne remained calm under pressure and steered the side to the victory, hitting an unbeaten 60. He sent the ball across the rope five times in his 53 balls knock. He was ably supported by Brett Hampton who scored an unbeaten 29 and added an undefeated 48 runs with Horne.
Bangladesh’s start was delayed by rain. However opener Tamim Iqbal was out for one as Bangladesh got off to a horrendous start. Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar however set them quickly in the crease and counterattacked in style to pace the scoreboard.
Kayes hammered 36 off 29 with seven fours while Sarkar made a patient 40 off 47. Brett Hampton removed Kayes to bring an end to the 55-run partnership between them. 
Mahmudullah Riyad then struck a sprightly 46-ball 43 before retiring out to give others an opportunity to bat. Mushfiqur Rahim top scored with 45 off 41 balls with two fours and a six but the likes of Shakib, Sabbir Rahman and Tanbir Hayder couldn't cash in.
Shakib Al Hasan got the start but couldn’t make it count which became a usual incident for him these days. He made 23. Later skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s unbeaten 21 off 19 helped the side take the score closer to 250.
Bangladesh will travel to Christchurch on Friday for their first ODI against New Zealand on Boxing Day. The second and third ODI will be played at Saxton Oval in Nelson on December 29 and 31 respectively.

Tigers lose 1st practice match in NZ

Mustafiz returns with bang taking a brace

Bangladesh made a disappointing start to the New Zealand tour as they suffered a three-wicket defeat to New Zealand XI in their lone practice match yesterday at Cobham Oval, Whangarei. Despite the defeat Bangladesh left with satisfaction that fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman bowled with full-fledge run up and without any trouble which came as a huge confidence-booster for them ahead of the three-match ODI series. It was the first match for the fast bowler in five months after his operation on the shoulder. The left arm fast bowler who got the news of being first Bangladeshi player to win an ICC award when he was announced Emerging Player of the Year, during the game, claimed two for 39 in seven overs. In a rain-reduced 43 overs a side, Bangladesh piled up 245 for eight after opting to bat first but then only saw New Zealand XI overhauling the target with eight balls to spare, losing seven wickets. Left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan snapped up three for 41 in seven overs to complement Mustafizurs bowling. Mustafiz gave the side an early breakthrough with the wicket of opener Ryan Duffy for four, raising the prospect of helping Bangladesh to win the game. But Ben Smith and Bharat Popli combined for an 88-run partnership for the second wicket to ease the pressure. Shakib Al Hasan struck thrice in his consecutive two overs, leaving New Zealand XI 108 for four from 94 for one. His scalp included Smith who scored 50, Popli (45) and skipper Cole McChonchie for duck. The home sides situation was compounded when Ken McClure was run out for 10 with the side at 128 for five. But Ben Horne remained calm under pressure and steered the side to the victory, hitting an unbeaten 60. He sent the ball across the rope five times in his 53 balls knock. He was ably supported by Brett Hampton who scored an unbeaten 29 and added an undefeated 48 runs with Horne. Bangladeshs start was delayed by rain. However opener Tamim Iqbal was out for one as Bangladesh got off to a horrendous start. Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar however set them quickly in the crease and counterattacked in style to pace the scoreboard. Kayes hammered 36 off 29 with seven fours while Sarkar made a patient 40 off 47. Brett Hampton removed Kayes to bring an end to the 55-run partnership between them. Mahmudullah Riyad then struck a sprightly 46-ball 43 before retiring out to give others an opportunity to bat. Mushfiqur Rahim top scored with 45 off 41 balls with two fours and a six but the likes of Shakib, Sabbir Rahman and Tanbir Hayder couldnt cash in. Shakib Al Hasan got the start but couldnt make it count which became a usual incident for him these days. He made 23. Later skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortazas unbeaten 21 off 19 helped the side take the score closer to 250. Bangladesh will travel to Christchurch on Friday for their first ODI against New Zealand on Boxing Day. The second and third ODI will be played at Saxton Oval in Nelson on December 29 and 31 respectively.