Ton-up Nazmul leads HP charge

The Bangladesh High Performance (HP) team ended the first day of the first four-day match against the Sri Lanka HP team on a high note, courtesy of an unbeaten 249-ball 124 from Nazmul Hossain Shanto, at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna yesterday.

After electing to bat, Bangladesh HP lost opener Naim Sheikh as early as the fourth over, leaving the score at 12 for one. Nazmul then strung together a 69-run second-wicket stand with Saif Hassan to restore some stability to the innings. Saif, who toiled hard at the top, could score only 18 off 94 balls before being run-out in the 32nd over.  It was, however, the 99-run stand for the fourth-wicket between Nazmul and Afif Hossain that proved pivotal for Bangladesh HP.

It was an impressive display from Afif, who was recently denied a no-objection certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to participate in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League, starting from September 4. The BCB mentioned that they denied him the NOC on the grounds that they wanted him to play for Bangladesh HP and were also considering him for the national team's upcoming triangular T20I series in September. Although Afif was dismissed on a 108-ball 54, Nazmul remained unbeaten till the end to see Bangladesh HP gather 233 for four in 88 overs at the close.