England completed their warm-up matches ahead of the Test series as the second two-day game against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI ended in a draw at MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong on Monday.
The English batters had a good outing on a hot day as they faced some tight bowling by the home side with leg-spinner Tanveer Haider bagging four wickets to help dismiss the visitors for 256 after BCB XI posted 294, riding on a brilliant hundred from Abdul Mazid.
English openers Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett utilised the opportunity and tried to adapt to the pitch and conditions. Hameed played 125 balls for his 57 runs while Duckett faced 101 deliveries in his 60-run knock. Both the batsmen then retired out after adding 90 runs for the opening wicket, making way for the others to spend some time at the crease.
However, it was leggie Tanveer who stole the show, bowling brilliantly and purchasing a lot of assistance from the spin-friendly wicket as he dismissed Joe Root (24), Jonny Bairstow (six), Jos Buttler (four) and Chris Woakes (23).
Gary Ballance remained unbeaten on 36 while Ben Stokes chipped in with 25.
BCB XI fast bowler Taskin Ahmed celebrates after dismissing England's Gareth Batty
DHAKA TRIBUNETaskin Ahmed bowled well and picked up a wicket, along with Subashish Roy and Mosaddek Hossain. Pacer Al Amin Hossain also exhibited an impressive display giving away only eight runs from his 10 overs, including seven maiden overs, but remained wicketless.
For the visitors, Duckett continued his prolific tour and expressed confidence that he would give a good account of himself, if he gets to open the innings alongside captain Alastair Cook, who returned to Bangladesh on the eve of the first Test after the birth of his second child.
“It’s (competition for places) very difficult. Especially the guys that are playing at the moment. In all formats, they have been very good for the last year or two. So it's going to be very difficult, but if I do get a chance, hopefully I’ll be ready,” Duckett told the media following the second two-dayer.
England's Ben Duckett on way to his half-century
DHAKA TRIBUNEThe 22-year old however, added that spin will play a vital role in the upcoming Test series. With that said, he informed that he will be ready to take up the challenge.
“I haven’t played a lot of spin [Monday]. When we train in the next couple of days I will try to face (spin) as much as I can, because I know that's going to be coming. The way I play spin, I try to be positive, put them under pressure and just bat the way I do,” said the Northamptonshire wicketkeeper-batsman.
On the other hand, uncapped stumper-batsman Nurul Hasan, who earlier made his T20I debut earlier this year against Zimbabwe, was named in the 14-member Bangladesh squad for the first Test after playing both the practice matches England.
And according to Nurul, he will try to make the best use of the opportunity, provided he gets to don the gloves this Thursday.
BCB XI wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan in action
DHAKA TRIBUNE“Obviously if I get the opportunity I will try to give my best and try to play my natural game. Obviously there is a huge difference between domestic cricket and international arena but if I take pressure upon me then it will be difficult so I will try to play according to the situation,” said Nurul.
BRIEF SCOREBCB XI 294 (Mazid 106, Shanto 72, Ansari 4/68) v
ENGLAND 256 (Duckett 60, Hameed 57, Tanveer 4/53)
Match drawn