Batting errors in drawn match
The three-day practice match between the Tigers and South Africa Invitation XI ended in a draw soon after Bangladesh declared their second innings at 235 for nine with more than two hours of play left on the final day at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni yesterday.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin, who is touring with the team in South Africa, informed over phone that they were not interested in sending their bowlers back on the field again due to their workload on the second day, which is why the hosts did not come out to bat in the second innings.
In the end the question was whether Bangladesh could take full advantage of the lone practice match before the first Test starts at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom from September 28.
"We are satisfied as almost all the batsmen got runs. I think our purposes were served as our batsmen and bowlers did some work before the Test series," said Minhajul.
However the batting errors, especially the sudden collapses in both innings against green opponents, cannot be ignored. The Bangladesh team management must look into why their batsmen succumbed to left-arm pacer Michael Cohen (four wickets) in the first innings, leg-spinner Shaun von Berg (four wickets) and left-arm spinner Leus du Plooy (two wickets) in the second innings.
Losing four wickets for nine runs in the first innings and the two wickets of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque for five runs in the second innings were not signs of a good Test team. It was especially disappointing to see Mominul fail to capitalise on good starts in both innings.
Sabbir Rahman, who notched up his second fifty of the game on the third day after Imrul Kayes' half century and saved his side from any debacle in the practice game, admitted that there were lapses in batting.
"Overall we had a good practice game and we got an idea about the pitch. We played well as it was a good track. Maybe a few of our batsmen were dismissed in soft fashion but I think we won't repeat that in the first Test. It was very good preparation for us," said Sabbir, who struck eight fours during his 98-ball 67 which came after his side had slipped to 96 for 4 inside the final day's first session.
However Sabbir added that they had a good practice before the Test series.
"The weather is fine and similar to Bangladesh although it's a bit colder here. But I think we had enough practice to adjust and our preparation went well. Hopefully we will play good cricket. We are expecting a good result."
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