Shamsur dazzles on Day One

Bangladesh A opener Shamsur Rahman guides the ball past point during his sparkling 84 against South Africa A on the first day of the first unofficial Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.Photo: STAR

Bangladesh A batted purposefully on the opening day of their first unofficial Test match against South Africa A at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
The hosts were all out for 346 runs but some of the batting, especially that of Shamsur Rahman, was splendid to watch even on an oppressively hot day.
The strong South African pace attack had no answer in the first hour of play when the right-handed Shamsur and Shahriar Nafees took command. They added 68 for the first wicket before the left-hander fell caught-behind off Vernon Philander.
Nafees was the more dominant of the two during the partnership, scoring 45 off 51 balls with the help of eight boundaries.
The visitors struck once more within a short time with Johan van der Wath removing skipper Junaed Siddiqui for just one. But the home team found solidity with Nazimuddin coming to the crease, joining Shamsur who had reached his half-century.
The right-hander from Chittagong, Nazimuddin, however missed his half-century by two runs when Dean Elgar had him caught by Alviro Petersen for 48 off 91 balls.
Faisal Hossain and Farhad Hossain both gave Shamsur good support before the opener fell for 84 off 111 balls, in an innings that had 14 boundaries and a six.
But Shamsur's departure did not hamper the A team's approach as lower-order bat Noor Hossain applied himself and added 76 for the seventh wicket with Farhad, who made 38.
Noor also missed a fifty, going for 49 off 81 balls. There was more frustration for the visitors who were carted around by Shahadat Hossain at the fag end of the day.
Stiaan van Zyl, a part-time medium pacer, had the best figures of 4 for 37 while Elgar and van der Wath took two each. Left-arm paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Philander also picked up a wicket each.
SCORES IN BRIEF
BANGLADESH A: First innings 346 all out (Nafees 45, Shamsur 84, Junaed 1, Nazimuddin 48, Faisal 23, Farhad 38, Sahagir 6, Nur 49, Shahadat 29, Enamul 7*, Rabiul 2, Extras 14; der Wath 2-51, Tsotsobe 1-76, Philander 1-28, Tshabalala 0-80, Elgar 2-73, van Zyl 4-37).