Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and his former deputy Mahmuduallah each scored a half century to guide Bangladesh Cricket Board Red to 220-7 on the opening day of the three-day match on Thursday. The BCB organised the three-day, splitting the 32-member preliminary squad into two groups, as they prepare for the upcoming three-Test series against Zimbabwe. Mushfiq, who joined the camp after his wedding functions, showed that the celebration at home could not distract him, scoring a patient 62 off 154 balls before he was trapped leg-before by Sakib al Hasan.
Mushfiq shared 67 runs with Mahmuuddllah in their first paring as brother in law for the fourth wicket.
Mahmudullah, who showed some form in recent West Indies tour, scored 58 runs from 113 balls giving his confidence a further boost before the Zimbabwe series which starts on October 25.
BCB Red declared their innings after 74 overs to give opponents BCB Green some batting opportunities and they grabbed the chance to reach 45-1 in 14 overs in at close.
Tamim Iqbal (16 not out) and Mominul Haque (two not out) remained at the crease after Shamsur Rahman departed making a brisk 25 from 29 balls.
Earlier, opting to bat first, BCB Red made a disastrous start when both openers Mohammad Mithun and Liton Kumar Das were tested with pace and swing by experienced pace bowler Shahadat Hossain.
Both went back soon without opening their account to help the opposition of gaining some early advantage before Sabbir Rahman (29) and Mahmudallah steadied the
ship by adding 42 runs for the third wicket.
Both Mushfiq and Mahmudullah could have translated their fifties into a big score unless left-arm spinner Sakib(2-56) came to rescue BCB Green by removing them.
‘It is always nice to be in runs,’ said Mahmuduallah. ‘It helps you to grow your confidence while removing your insecurities regarding your own ability.
‘I was stroking the ball well but at the same time a firm resolve was made up in my mind that I should not lose my wicket,’ he said
Nasir Hossain exploited the platform given by Mushfiq and Mahmudullah to make 49 runs from 59 balls with the help of three sixes and as many fours before he fell leg-before by an in swinger from Al Amin.
-With New Age input
