Tamim, Shakib among runs in final warm-up

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib al Hasan put the final touches to their preparation for the upcoming three-match series against the West Indies by scoring half-centuries in the second and final inter-squad practice match at BKSP 4 in Savar.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board declared the 18-man squad ahead of the first ODI against the Windies at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Wednesday, and Saturday's warm-up between Tamim XI and Mahmudullah XI saw Tamim and Shakib back among the runs.

Replying to Mahmudullah XI’s 223/7 in 45 overs, Tamim XI romped to their destination losing just two wickets in 35.2 overs, Tamim leading the way with a run-a-ball 80 before retiring to give other batsmen a hit.

Tamim’s workmanlike innings featured five fours and three sixes as he was supported well by opener Liton Das (48) and youngster Nazmul Hossain Shanto (61).

Right-arm speedsters Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud picked up one wicket apiece for Mahmudullah XI but conceded more than six runs per over.

Taskin would be relieved to have a bowling workout after a recent injury scare while Hasan earlier showed glimpses of his potential Thursday in the first practice game, bagging a four-for to lead Mahmudullah XI to victory at BKSP 3.

Earlier, Mahmudullah XI rode on Mohammad Naim and Shakib’s half-centuries to post a competitive total.

Shakib, back in the national dressing room after his one-year ban in October last year, will be glad to have scored 52 off 82 deliveries after being dismissed for nine Thursday.

Naim, who made 50, was not so lucky as he missed out on a spot in the ODI squad after being included in the preliminary squad, following which he scored 43 in the first warm-up.

Tamim XI’s Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan took two wickets apiece.

2ND WARM-UP

TAMIM XI 224/2 in 35.2 overs (Tamim 80*, Shanto 61, Liton 48) beat MAHMUDULLAH XI 223/7 in 45 overs (Shakib 52, Naim 50, Mosaddek 31) by eight wickets