Five-star Shafiul leads the way in practice match after day one

Bangladesh Green team pacer Shafiul Islam bowled brilliantly to clinch five wickets as he ran through the Bangladesh Red top-order, restricting them for just 149 runs in 47.1 overs during the first day of their rain-affected practice match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday. Shafiul’s bowling figure read 7.1-3-17-5 after day one. Mustafizur Rahman, Sanjit Saha, Taskin Ahmed and Sanjamul Islam took one wicket each. Nazmul Hossain Shanto was the top-scorer for the Red team with a fighting half-century. He smashed six fours and a six during his 53-run knock. The match was delayed due to heavy rain in the morning. The match eventually started during lunch time.

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Green team captain Tamim Iqbal won the toss and elected to field, considering the overcast condition. The pacers proved Tamim’s decision right, particularly Shafiul, who was destructive. Shafiul got the wicket of Soumya Sarkar (one), Imrul Kayes (five) and Mahmudullah (nought), all in the space of two overs. At one stage, Red team were stuttering on eight for three wickets within just five overs. But No 3 batsman Nazmul and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim halted the slide, forming a 90-run partnership for the fourth wicket. As soon as the fourth wicket fell in the 23rd over, Red team lost regular wickets and eventually declared for 149 losing nine wickets.

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Tamim and Liton Kumar Das opened the innings for Green team. Red team pacer Rubel Hossain drew first blood as Liton was caught at slip in the fifth over. But captain Tamim (23) and Mominul Haque (19) remained not out till the end of the day’s play. Red team finished the day on 49 for one at stumps. The second three-day match between the Bangladesh cricketers will be played in Dhaka, ahead of Australia’s two-Test series against the Tigers later this month. Undoubtedly, Shafiul was the star on the first day with his outstanding bowling. Such bowling performance can only improve a bowler’s confidence level and can also send a message to the selectors ahead of the Australia Tests.

“I have worked with the new ball recently. There was grass in [Wednesday's] wicket. So it helped. [Wednesday's] bowling will give me confidence in the upcoming days. I am trying to become more fit. And I’m also working to improve my bowling and skills,” said Shafiul to the media after day one.

BRIEF SCORERed team 149/9 in 47.1 overs (Nazmul Hossain 53, Mushfiqur Rahim 30, Taijul Islam 26; Shafiul Islam 5-17) lead Green team 49/1 in 17 overs (Tamim Iqbal 23*, Mominul Haque 19*, Liton Kumar 5; Rubel Hossain 1-15) by 100 runs Green teamTamim Iqbal, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Haque, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanbir Hayder, Sanjamul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Kamrul Islam and Mustafizur RahmanRed teamImrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Nazmul Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan, Taijul Islam, Saklain Sajib, Rubel Hossain, Subashish Roy and Al Amin Hossain