Dev squad make seniors sweat

Bangladesh World Cup team struggled to score a three-wicket win over the BCB Development squad in a practice match at the BKSP ground in Savar yesterday.

In a reduced 45-over-a-side match, which began one-hour behind the schedule due to thick fog, the BCB Development squad garnered a moderate 146 all out in 37.2 overs. Three players of the senior team -- Hannan Sarkar, Mohammad Ashraful and Mashrafee-bin-Mortuza -- played for the Development side.

Mohammad Ashraful scored highest 47 off 66 balls with three boundaries while middle-order batsman Riyad and opener Nayeem made 27 and 22 respectively.

Left arm spinner Mohammad Rafique and occasion medium pacer Ehsanul Haque took three wickets each for the national team.

In reply, the seniors reached home in 30.3 overs with Habibul Bashar hammering highest 44 off 51 balls with seven boundaries. Rafique chipped in with an unbeaten 31 while Alok Kapali and Khaled Mahmud scored 19 runs each.

Mashrafee, playing his first match, bowled well to finish with two wickets. Rubayat Haq and Shafaq Al-Zabir also captured two wickets each.

It was the last practice match for Khaled Mashud's men before they fly off to Namibia for a two-week conditioning camp on January 13.

SCORES IN BRIEF

BCB DEVELOPMENT SQUAD: 146 all out in 37.2 overs (Ashraful 47, Riyad 27, Nayeem 22, Ehsanul 3-15, Rafique 3-21, Talha 2-23)

BANGLADESH: 149 in 30.3 overs (Habibul 44, Rafique 31 n.o, Kapali 19, K Mahmud 19 n.o, Mashrafee 2-26, Shafaq 2-47, Rubayat 2-51)

Result: Bangladesh won by three wickets