English Lions tame patched-up Tigers

BCB XI skipper Mahmudullah Riyad flicks one down the leg during the practice match against England Lions at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das

The visiting England Lions got off to a winning start when they posted a four-wicket victory against the bits and pieces BCB XI in the lone one-day practice match at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.
The local side won the toss and decided to bat first but failed to justify their decision as they were bundled out for 186 runs in 43.2 overs.
BCB XI lost two quick wickets but a 71-run third wicket partnership between Rony Talukder and captain Mahmudullah Riyad helped to repair the early damage. Their effort was unfortunately not good enough to put up a challenging total on the board.
Rony, who was not in the original squad but included in the last moment following Gazi Tank's refusal to release the two selected players, top scored with 53 off 56 balls that featured nine fours and a six while Riyad added 46 off 79 balls with a boundary.
Shuvagoto Hom was the other notable scorer with a 48-ball 31 that contained one four and a six.
Danny Briggs was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 41 runs in ten overs while Jack Brooks claimed three wickets conceding 28 runs in 6.2 overs.
In reply, England Lions reached the target of 187 runs fort the loss of six wickets in 36.2 overs.
Jason Roy and Joseph Root gave a solid start associating 76 runs in the opening stand to shape the easy win.
Roy scored the team highest 40 off 38 balls that saw seven fours while Root contributed 35 off 31 balls with five boundaries.
The first one-day of the five-match series between Bangladesh A and England Lions will be take place at the same venue on January 8.
SCORES IN BRIEF
BCB XI: 186 all out in 43.2 overs (Rony 53, Riyad 46, Shuvogoto 31; Briggs 4-41, Brooks 3-28, Meaker 2-20).
ENGLAND LIONS: 187-6 in 36.2 overs (Roy 36, Root 35, Butler 28 not out; Hossain 2-30, Jayed 1-23, Imrul 1-11).
RESULT: England Lions won by four wickets.