Tigers ease to warm-up win over SL sans Shakib

Bangladesh skipper Shakib al Hasan was not included in the side's warm-up victory against Sri Lanka in Guwahati Friday ahead of the Cricket World Cup.

It was not immediately known as to why he was absent in the practice game but speculation was doing the rounds that he suffered an ankle injury while playing football in the practice session, reports BSS.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz led the side as vice-captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto also opted out of the match along with pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman.

Other 13 players are included in the match.

Since it is a practice game, one team can use all of their players.

Bangladesh are playing this match, leaving behind the ongoing trouble, that kick-started after the omission of Tamim Iqbal from the World Cup squad.

The Tigers coasted to a seven-wicket win after chasing down 264 in 42 overs, riding on fine contributions from openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim (84) and Liton Das (61) and Miraz (67).

Miraz was unbeaten in the end alongside Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 35.

Tanzid and Liton gave Bangladesh the perfect platform for the chase with a 131-run stand for the opening wicket.

The Lankans were earlier dismissed for 263 in 49.1 overs after skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat.

They too put on a solid opening wicket partnership of 104 but then lost their way, as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.

Mahedi Hasan led the way for the men in red and green with three wickets.

Pathum Nissanka top-scored for the Lankans with 68 while Dhananjaya de Silva chipped in with 55.

Bangladesh will take on world champions England in their second and final warm-up match at the same venue Monday before starting the World Cup mission against Afghanistan in Dharamshala next Saturday.