Tamim Iqbal struck a blazing half-century after Nasir Hossain mesmerised the batsmen with his off-spin as the Bangladesh national side crushed the A team by 10 wickets in their last group match of the BCB Cup on Monday.
Set a revised target of 100 runs in 20 overs after rain delayed the innings of Tigers for more than two hours. Tamim struck 66 off 51 balls, helping the side to knock off the target with exactly five over to spare.
Tamim, who hit 10 fours and a six in his typical explosive innings, had one big let-off in his innings with Roqibul Hassan spilling an easy catch at deep midwicket off Farhad Reza when he was on 12.
The left-hander missed the previous game for a stiff neck and groin problem but showed no signs of pain on return, taking almost every A team bowler with equal disdain to score his second half-century in the tournament.
Imrul Kayes, largely overshadowed by Tamim during the innings, also had reason to feel happy for his 20 not out that came after a string of poor performances in Zimbabwe and at the BCB Cup.
Imrul, one of the most consistent batsman for Bangladesh in 2010, however, has got full backing from Tamim, his long-standing opening partner in both Test and one-day sides.
‘He batted well for a year. Everyone has to realise that it is a matter of one good innings before his confidence picks up. I am sure he will find support from everyone involved,’ said Tamim of Imrul.
‘This sort of tournament is a good initiative. It was competitive today and the matches have the look and feel of a real competition, because we plan in that manner. I hope they continue to hold such tournaments like the BCB Cup,’ said Tamim.
Nasir Hossain set up the win with his 4-29 that helped the Tigers bowl out the A team for 167 in 46.3 overs after Abdur Razzak put them in after winning his first toss as captain of the national side, leading them for the second time in the tournament.
Razzak was made captain in the previous game against the GP-BCB Academy side, but he did not have a chance to show his leadership skill with rain ruining the game half-way through.
Nazmul Hossain, replacing Rubel Hossin in the line-up, struck twice in his opening spell before Razzak brought himself in and introduced Nasir from the other side to asphyxiate the A team.
Razzak ended the resistance of A team’s top-scorer Sahagir Hossain (36) after he had Naeem Islam, the centurion in the previous game, stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim for eight.
Nasir took four wickets in a row which came as a big consolation after he was denied of enough batting opportunities in the tournament by the top-order batsmen. His victims included A team captain Mahmudullah, who made 34 off 48 balls, the second highest score for his side.
-With New Age input
