The Green team finished the first day of the three day practice match ahead of the New Zealand series at 156/4 at the Sheikh Abu Naser stadium Khulna yesterday. Left arm spinner Abdur Razzaq claimed all four wickets, while the captain Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 64 at close of play.
National skipper Mushfiqur won the toss for the Greens and chose to bat first on day that saw two rain breaks. Paceman Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who is playing in a three day match for the first time since 2009, bowled ten overs but failed to take a wicket and did not look particularly penetrative.
It was left to Razzaq to break the opening partnership of 42 between Jahurul Islam and Shahriar Nafees by clean bowling the latter for 23 runs.
Razzaq went on to add the wickets of Jahurul Islam (19), Roqibul Hasan (17) and Mominul Haque (14)to mark a successful day.
Mushfiqur Rahim showed his character and played a very composed innings where he reached his half century and held the innings together. The captain smashed seven boundaries and four sixes and is set to resume tomorrow with his score on 69, with Mehrab Hossain nine not out at the other end.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) arranged the practice match ahead of the upcoming series against New Zealand series in October in consideration of the cricketers not having played anything longer than 50 over games since the Zimbabwe series in March.
Brief Score: BCB Green 156/4
Jahurul Islam 19, Shahriar Nafees 23, Roqibul Hasan 17, Mominul Haque 14, Mushfiqur Rahim 64*, Mehrab Hossain 9*
Abdur Razzaq 36/4, Mashrafe Mortaza 26/0
