Tasamul Haque and Alauddin Babu nearly spoiled Tigers’ preparation for the Zimbabwe tour but their untimely dismissals gave the national side a narrow escape in their last practice match against GP-BCB National Cricket Academy yesterday.
The Mushfiqur Rahim-led side finally won the game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium by 40 runs to sign off their nearly two-month fitness and skills camp on a high despite inclement weather heavily interrupting the second camp. Though the fitness sessions throughout June will keep the Tigers in good stead, there is some concern over the much shorter time they got for honing their cricketing skills.
Meanwhile, Special practice sessions have been arranged for Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal on July 25, though a few others like Mushfiqur are set to join for the extra nets.
Back to the game, Tasamul and Alauddin gave a glimpse of their abilities through a 102-run third wicket stand after both Academy openers — Fazle Mahmud and Abdul Majid — fell within the sixth over.
But the third wicket pair dominated to the point where the Tigers’ bowling looked rather futile. Alauddin, the taller of the two and slightly more aggressive, smashed two straight sixes (out of three) off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak during his 95-ball 63 while Tasamul played the longer innings, hitting ten boundaries in his 73 that came in three hours.
But once the duo exited, the more experienced Tigers took over the proceedings. From 163 for three, the Academy side slipped to 213 all out in less than twenty overs, giving the bowlers some confidence ahead of the tricky tour.
Razzak, who had his moments during the Tasamul-Alauddin stand in between some big hits, took three wickets but looked far less of a Test bowler despite a long training camp from early June. Rubel Hossain generally bowled within himself but exerted some pace in the late afternoon session to end with two wickets, including bouncing out Asif Ahmed Ratul, who was batting well till he nervously skied one to Nasir Hossain at cover.
Robiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain and Shafiul Islam all bowled shorts spells while Mohammad Ashraful picked up two wickets. Robiul, Nazmul and Mahmudullah Riyad picked up a wicket apiece.
Later, new coach Stuart Law was pleased with the pace bowlers, despite the struggles at times.
“You need to take 20 wickets to win a Test match no matter how many runs you score. It would strengthen the team more than anything if the serious bowlers can attack,” said Law. “I am happy with what I have seen in the pace department. With the spin department, it’s not about bowling out there and taking wickets; it is about how you bowl to different batsmen, setting different fields and learning when to attack and when to defend.”
But the Tigers’ batting on Friday was a slight cause for concern as they only batted out 59.3 overs to score 258 runs. “Look, it’s a practice match and we bat like that in the Test match and we’re bowled out at 70 overs, then we will be in trouble. It was played in difficult conditions where the players had to go on and off with the rain. Hopefully when we go to Zimbabwe the weather is pretty good and hopefully we see it out there,” said Law.
The Tigers leave the country on July 27 to play a Test and five one-day matches against the hosts.
-With The Daily Star input
