Bangladesh began their 2015 ICC World Cup mission on a losing note suffering a five-wicket defeat against Australia XI in an unofficial practice match at Allan Border Field in Queensland yesterday.
Asked to bat first, the Tigers put up a decent total, 231/10 in 45.4 overs, riding on Mominul Haque’s 52. In his 65-ball inning, Mominul struck four boundaries and a six before retiring.
Coming in at number four, Mahmudullah scored 42 from 55 balls with the help of four boundaries while opening batsman Soumya Sarkar added 33 off 47 deliveries to give the Tigers a solid start. Soumya looked at ease at the crease and slammed two fours and a six.
Australia XI medium pacer David Moody scalped three wickets and was provided valuable support by fellow paceman Harry Conway, who picked up two wickets. The 19-year old Moody dismissed Bangladesh opener Anamul Haque (11), middle-order batsman Sabbir Rahman (31) and Mashrafe bin Mortaza (2).
In reply, the home side reached their destination in 43.2 overs with five wickets remaining. Opening batsman Jimmy Pierson and captain Ashton Turner propelled the chase posting 78 runs each.
Pierson faced 76 balls and smashed 10 boundaries and a six while Turner hammered four boundaries and five sixes in his 87-ball knock.
Bangladesh paceman Rubel Hossain accounted for the wickets of both the Australia XI openers – Jaron Morgan (1) and Pierson.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe, vice-captain Shakib al Hasan and young paceman Taskin Ahmed bagged a wicket apiece.
Opener Tamim Iqbal missed the practice match as he is recuperating from surgery in his left meniscus.
The two sides will face each other in the second and final unofficial practice match tomorrow at the same venue.
The Tigers will also play two official warm-up matches before taking on Afghanistan in their opening match on February 18.
