Visiting Zimbabwe sent Bangladesh a message that they shouldn’t be written off in the upcoming series, consisting three ODIs and two T20 Internationals. The tourists’ comfortable seven-wicket victory in the warm-up game against a high profile BCB XI, formed with several national players, made it clear that the series wouldn’t be a one-way traffic which many one is pondering.

Zimbabwe gunned down the target of 278 with 20 balls to spare at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday, making a mockery with Bangladeshi bowlers. However, much to the comfort of the fans, the frontline bowlers, apart from Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Jubair Hossain Likhon were not part of the BCB XI. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza played his first competitive match after the ODI against South Africa. He went wicket-less after sending down seven overs, conceding 31 runs but he didn’t look entirely comfortable. Likhon was generous as he gave away 34 runs in his four overs.
However the day began nicely for BCB XI with openers- Imrul Kayes and Anamul Haque Bijoy adding 105 in just 19.5 overs before leg-spinner Graeme Cremer ran through the local side taking out Kayes, Bijoy and Liton in his opening spell of five overs.
Kayes was the first to go with 56 off 64, designed by five fours and two sixes. Bijoy’s 52 came off 61, studding with seven fours and one six.
After Cremer’s show, medium fast bowler Luke Jongwe entered into the stage with Mushfiqur Rahim resisting the rot. Rahim saw Sabbir’s dismissal at the hands of Jongwe before he got any ably support from Shahriar Nafees who also was the prey of Jongwe after making run-a-ball 38.
Mushfiqur Rahim with unbeaten 81 off 84 drove the side to a comfortable position despite the wickets falling around him as Zimbabwe bowlers bowled with good line and length which was complemented by disciplined fielding effort. They effected two run-out dismissals to prevent Bangladesh from taking the score past 300. In the last 10 overs, BCB XI could add just 65 runs. The BCB XI was finally able to amass 277 for eight in 50 overs.
It was by no means a bad score but the wicket was nice to bat. BCB XI needed some early wickets to impose the pressure and Shafiul gave the right kind of start when he forced Richmond Mutumbami top-edge on 4. Left arm spinner Sanjamul Islam took out Chamu Chibaba (33) just five overs later to leave Zimbabwe 51 for two as the proceeding was going on according to the script. However Craig Ervine and Sean Williams ruined the plot, playing two superb knocks that kept the side on course. They shared 125 runs which ended after Williams (54) was retired hurt. Ervine went on to make 95 off 99, clattering nine fours and one six.  
“It was a good practice match for us. Winning the match at the start of the series is always confidence booster. Hope we’ll carry it forward to the ODI series,” Ervine said. As they laid the platform, captain Elton Chigumbura gave the finishing touch having blasted 49 ball-64, clobbering four fours and three sixes as Zimbabwe hunt down the target, making 281 for three in 46.4 overs.  Sanjamul Islam clamed two while Shafiul picked up one wicket. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mushfiqur Rahim however left the field even before the match was ended as they had to join the jersey unveiling ceremony at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital.

Scores

BCB XI: 277/8 in 50 overs
Zimbabwe: 281/3 in 46.4 overs