Visiting Zimbabwe team got a big boost ahead of their tri-nation T20I series against host Bangladesh and Afghanistan as they beat Bangladesh Cricket Board XI by seven wickets at Fatullah Wednesday.
Even with the presence of two regular national team batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman, the local side scored a moderate 142/7 before the experienced Brendon Taylor led the visitor with an unbeaten half century to 144/3 in 17.3 overs.
The 33-year old Taylor scored 57 off 44 and got great support from Timycen Maruma, who remained not out on 46, as the pair formed an unbeaten 78-run stand off just 55 balls for the fourth wicket.
Taylor, who has been a nemesis for the Tigers over the years, has once again showed his composure in the innings that was built with the aid of two fours and three sixes, but Maruma was more aggressive as he consumed just 28 balls and paved the way for an easy victory.
Afif Hossain, who has been called up in the Tigers squad for the tri-series, picked up all three wickets in the innings, conceding just 19 runs off four overs.
#Shakib has less interest in #Tests recently, says #BCB boss #Nazmul https://t.co/uQ7ONVhNYj
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) September 11, 2019
Earlier in the day, after winning the toss, all the top-order batsmen of the host reached double figure but not could go beyond 30 and it resulted in a below-par score in the end.
Sabbir made the highest 30 off 31 without any fours and only one six while Mushfiq, who had a horror of a Test match recently against Afghans, registered a run-a-ball 26.
Both the openers Saif Hasan and Mohammad Naim got set but were dismissed for 21 and 23 respectively.
Sean Williams was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, bagging three wickets leaking just 18 runs.
SCORECARD
BCB XI INNINGS R B
Saif lbw b Madziva 21 19
Naim c Mutombodzi b Williams 23 14
Sabbir st Taylor b Williams 30 31
Mushfiqur c & b Williams 26 26
Afif b Jarvis 10 8
Yasir c Masakadza b Madziva 6 10
Saifuddin not out 7 7
Ariful c Mutombodzi b Chatara 9 4
Yeasin not out 2 2
Extras (nb 1, w 7) 8
Total (20 Overs) 142/7
Fall Of Wickets
1-26 (Saif), 2-53 (Naim), 3-106 (Sabbir), 4-107 (Mushfiq), 5-121 (Afif), 6-125 (Yasir), 7-138 (Ariful)
Bowling
Williams 4-0-18-3, Jarvis 3-0-17-1, Chatara 3-0-31-1, Madziva 3-0-35-2, Burl 4-0-17-0, Mutombodzi 1-0-4-0, Munyonga 2-0-20-0
ZIMBABWEANS INNINGS R B
Taylor not out 57 44
Masakadza st Jaker b Afif 31 23
Ervine st Jaker b Afif 4 6
Williams lbw b Afif 2 6
Maruma not out 46 28
Extras (lb 1, nb 3) 4
Total (17.2 Overs) 144/3
Fall Of Wickets
1-42 (Masakadza), 2-58 (Ervine), 3-66 (Williams)
Bowling
Saifuddin 3-0-20-0, Yeasin 2-0-22-0, Afif 4-0-19-3, Ariful 1-0-14-0, Aminul 4-0-37-0, Shafiqul 3.2-0-31-0
Zimbabweans won by seven wickets
