ZCZC
BSP-21
CRICKET-BD-WARM-UP
Mithun, Mushfiq steer Tigers to facile warm-up victory in SL
DHAKA, July 23, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh got off to a flying start in their Sri Lanka tour as they gained a confidence ahead of their three-match ODI series against the hosts, crushing Sri Lanka Board President’s XI by five wickets in a warm-up game at P Sara Oval in Colombo on Tuesday.
Mohammad Mithun led the victory, smashing a 91-run knock while Mushfiqur Rahim blasted a 46 ball-50 as Bangladesh overhauled the opponent’s 282-8 with 11 balls spare, making 285-5.
Mithun shared two vital partnerships to keep the side winning position before missing the ton for just nine runs. In his 100-ball knock, he struck 11 fours and one six, indicating to regain the form which was missing during the World Cup.
Team’s interim skipper Tamim Iqbal scored a 47 ball-37 while Mahmudullah Riyad chipped-in-with 33.
Tamim and Soumya shard a 45-run but Lahiru Kumara left Bangladesh in troublesome situation, taking out both of the batsmen as the scoreboard read just 58. Soumya made 13.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun then helped the side recover from the jittery state, combining for a 73-run for the third wicket stand.
Mushfiqur struck six fours and one six in his 46 ball-50 before being dismissed.
Mithun continues his good work and got further support from Mahmudullah Riyad.
The due further added 96-run to place the side in a position of dominance. Mahmudullah however failed to convert his start to good one, falling to Akila Danajaya spin for 33.
As Bangladesh was in complete control, Mithun was closer to his century but Rajitha got rid of him to deprive him from a well-deserved century.
Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat then sailed the side home with the later hitting a boundary to confirm the victory.
Sabbir was not out on 31 while Mosaddek was on 15.
Bangladesh, opting to bowl first, sensed an easy outing when they left the local side to 32-3 thanks to Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed.
But Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shehan Jayasuriya resisted with 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket to steady the innings.
Rajapaksa made 26 before Soumya Sarkar removed him to give the side much-needed breakthrough.
Mustafizur Rahman jolted the opponents further before Dasun Shanaka counterattacked in style to take the side in a safe position.
In between Shehan Jayasuriya was dismissed for 78 ball-56 runs, clubbing five fours.
Shanaka smashed six sixes and as many fours in his unbeaten 86 off 63 to give the side a respectable total. Wanidy Hasaranga made 28.
Rubel Hossain and Soumya Sarkar snapped up two wickets apiece for Bangladesh while Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Farhad Reza picked up one wicket each.
BSS/SMP/SMM/1845 hrs