Bangladesh team management is facing a pleasant dilemma as there are quite a few contenders to stake a claim for the opening slot, alongside Tamim Iqbal, for the forthcoming ODI series against the West Indies.
Tamim, the highest run-getter for Bangladesh in ODIs, returned with a strong performance scoring a marvelous century (107 off 73 balls) for BCB XI against the touring West Indies side at BKSP Thursday.
As many as three players will vie for the spot of the other opener when Bangladesh play their first ODI against Windies Sunday.
Left-handed batsman Imrul Kayes scored two centuries in the previous series against Zimbabwe, wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das, who scored a brilliant century in the Asia Cup in September this year, also showed his talent in that series and made a fifty in the second and final Test match against the West Indies last week.
Soumya Sarkar has also made a strong claim for that spot as the left-hander, who scored a century in Bangladesh’s last ODI against Zimbabwe, made a swashbuckling ton in the practice match alongside Tamim.
Stand-in captain of the @windiescricket for the ODI series, Rovman Powell had mixed feelings about his team’s performance after another defeat in the 50-over practice match at the BKSP 3 ground in Savar Thursdayhttps://t.co/qsrclRgEtb#CRICKET #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHCRICKET #CWI
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 6, 2018
The southpaw remained not out on 103 off 83 balls hitting seven fours and six sixes to make the big chase easy.
Now, the selectors are feeling the pressure of picking an opener from Imrul, Liton and Soumya but chief selector Minhajul Abedin welcomed the situation.
“It’s a good sign for us. Our back-up cricketers are in a good position. And if competition comes in positive way, then a team are in good position. I always believe competition is required. Any player can be called up whenever we need someone in the team. We are still discussing on the matter about as to who will be the other opening batsman with Tamim in the first match. We will decide it [today] during preparation,” said Minhajul, who was on the ground observing the players during the practice game.
“The West Indies are a dangerous side in shorter formats. So the upcoming series’ will be challenging for us. We are happy that we have done well in the practice match. Tamim has played after a few months. And he scored a brilliant hundred so it’s a big plus point for us,” he added.
Bangladesh will play the first two matches of three-game ODI series at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Sunday and Wednesday before playing the last match at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium next Friday.
WEST INDIANS R B
Powell c Imrul b Nazmul 43 49
Hope st Akbar b Nazmul 81 84
Bravo c Akbar b Mehedi 24 33
Samuels c Mehedi b Mashrafe 5 12
Hetmyer c Soumya b Rubel 33 27
Rovman c Akbar b Shamim 0 5
Chase not out 65 51
Allen lbw b Rubel 48 32
Paul c Hridoy b Mehedi 2 4
Ambris not out 10 9
Extras (b 1, lb 6, w 13) 20
Total (50 Overs) 331/8
Fall Of Wickets
1-101 (Powell), 2-159 (Bravo), 3-167 (Hope), 4-175 (Samuels), 5-176 (Rovman), 6-215 (Hetmyer), 7-293 (Allen), 8-296 (Paul)
Bowling
Rubel 10-0-55-2, Mashrafe 8-1-37-1, Mehedi 10-0-65-2, Sahin 2-0-18-0, Soumya 8-0-72-0, Nazmul 10-0-61-2, Shamim 2-0-16-1
BCB XI R B
Tamim st Hope b Chase 107 73
Imrul c Hetmyer b Chase 27 25
Soumya not out 103 83
Mithun c Bravo b Bishoo 5 14
Ariful c & b Bishoo 21 18
Hridoy b Allen 0 5
Shamim b Thomas 9 12
Mashrafe not out 22 18
Extras (lb 9, nb 2, w 9) 20
Total (41 Overs) 314/6
Fall Of Wickets
1-81 (Imrul), 2-195 (Tamim), 3-202 (Mithun), 4-233 (Ariful), 5-234 (Hridoy), 6-265 (Shamim)
Bowling
Roach 5-0-49-0, Thomas 7-0-57-1, Chase 10-0-57-2, Paul 4-0-42-0, Bishoo 10-0-81-2, Allen 5-0-19-1
BCB XI won by 51 runs (D/L method)