Tamim, Saif, Shanto impress in practice match

Senior batsman Tamim Iqbal, youngsters Saif Hasan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto showed impressive performance on the first day of the inter-squad warm-up game today at CMCG at Katunayake in Sri Lanka.

The Tigers are playing this warm-up game amongst themselves as part of their preparation for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

While Team Red is being led by Tamim Iqbal, Test captain Mominul Haque is leading Team Green.

After practicing two days following a three-day room quarantine, it is the first time the Tigers are playing a match.

Team Red who chose to bat first, scored 204 for no loss at tea till filing of this report with Tamim retiring after scoring 63. Saif and Shanto also retired in a bid to give others a chance to bat. Saif made 52 while Shanto scored 53. Mushfiqur Rahim was batting on 29.

“It was a good practice at the ground and was important to adjust with the condition and the wicket here,” Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu said about the practice game in a recorded video message sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today.

“We have completed the first day of the two-day practice game. Our top order batted really well. Bowlers also tried their best to maintain line and length and hit the good area. Overall I will say it’s a good practice. Tomorrow we have another day of practice game and I think the players will be well prepared for the Test series with this practice game,” he added,

Minhajul however said the bowlers will have to face a stern challenge to maintain their line and length in this shimmering condition.

“Bowlers had a tough session here in the first day’s practice game. The track looks flat and I think we will get a flat deck in the Test series also. So what will be challenging for the bowlers is to maintain their line and length for long time in the scorching heat. I hope the bowlers will be coped with very soon.”

He showered praise on the Tamim Iqbal, Saif Hasan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto for their tremendous batting.

“Our openers Tamim, Saif and later Shanto and Mushfiqur batted tremendously. Bowlers also tried their heart and soul. I believe we have got some good feedback. Hopefully we’ll be prepared for the Test series in time,” he remarked.

Team Red: Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Saif Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Rahi, Syed Khaled, Support Staff

Team Green: Shadman Islam, Liton Das, Mominul Haque(Captain), Mithun, Yasir Ali Rabbi, Shuvagata Hom, Nayeem Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Ebadat Hossain, Shohidul Islam, Mukidul Islam Mugdho

Source: BSS