Mominul draws first blood

Mominul Haque of Bangladesh U-19 team sets off for a run after working the ball on the on-side during his unbeaten 93 against England U-19s in the limited-overs practice match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. PHOTO: BANGLARCHOKH.COM

A magnificent 93 not out from left-handed batsman Mominul Haque propelled Bangladesh under-19s to a comfortable four-wicket victory over the visiting England under-19 team in their first limited overs practice match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
Set to topple a modest England total of 213 in a match arranged after the scheduled two-day practice game at Fatullah was abandoned on Monday, the home side rode on Mominul's brilliance after English right-arm fast bowler Nathan Buck had rocked the top order with a fiery spell.
With Bangladesh precariously placed at 18 for three only in the sixth over, Mominul resurrected the innings, little by little, with useful contribution from the other middle-order batsmen. His unbeaten knock of 93 consisted ten boundaries and a maximum. Mahmudul, Enamul, and Sabbir got out in their mid-twenties, but Mominul remained resolute at the other end to make sure Bangladesh youths got home comfortably in the end with four overs to spare.
Earlier, having won the toss, English skipper Azeem Rafiq opted to bat first but saw his team in early trouble when opening batsman Joe Root got run out by Bangladesh skipper Mahmudul Hasan with the score on six. Hasan was involved again when he caught the number three batsman Ateeq Javid off the bowling of pacer Arman Badshah leaving England score on 22 for two in the thirteenth over. The England innings never recovered from their early jolts, and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Three half centuries in the middle order though added respectability to the English score. Left-hander Benjamin Strokes, in particular, played an entertaining knock of 53 off just 47 deliveries before he was bowled by Alauddin Babu. Best topscored for the tourists with 57 runs from 55 deliveries. Leg-spinner Shabbir Rahman took three wickets for 51 runs in eight overs to restrict the England innings to 213 in 50 overs.