Cricket returns in Mirpur

Even though it was just a practice match, Bangladesh players, who returned to playing a game of cricket after 199 days, were still pumped up to perform for their sides. 

On the first day of the two-day practice match, the Ryan Cook XI bundled out the Ottis Gibson XI for 230 runs -- thanks to a fiery spell from pacer Taskin Ahmed at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. Taskin, who returned figures of three for 45, remained the most impressive bowler on the day. Spinner Taijul Islam also chipped in with three wickets for 70 runs.

The Gibson XI batsmen struggled to cope with Taskin's pace and bounce. Taskin, who played for the Ryan Cook XI, removed Imrul Kayes at the very beginning. The right-armer went on to scalp the wickets of Najmul Hossain Shanto (42) and Mahmudullah Riyad (34). 

Meanwhile, for Gibson XI, opener Saif Hassan scored a team high of 64 off 86 deliveries. Soumya Sarkar, who batted at six, scored 51 off 71 deliveries.