Batsmen enjoy fruitful warm-up

Bangladesh had a fruitful outing on the first day of a two-day warm-up game against a Zimbabwe Select XI at the Harare Sports Club Ground yesterday.

The visitors reached 240 for two after 67 overs with Saif Hasan, Najmul Hossain, and Shakib Al Hasan scoring fifties after electing to bat.

Two of the most experienced cricketers, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, did not participate in the warm-up game as both are recovering from injuries.

Tamim has injured knee while Mushfiqur hurt his finger during the Dhaka Premier League. Both are expected to take part in the lone Test match starting from July 7.

On the pitch, Bangladesh lost opener Shadman Islam for a duck, the left-hander unable to score despite facing thirty deliveries.

Saif Hasan, who looked in fine touch at the other end, was then joined by Najmul.

Saif reached a fifty and after scoring 65 off 108 balls, a knock that included 13 fours and a six, the right-hander retired to give others an opportunity.

Najmul also looked solid and the left-hander was taken off the field after reaching his fifty to give experienced players Shakib and Mominul Haque a chance to utilise the center wicket ahead of the Test.

Shakib, who has struggled with the bat ever since returning from a year-long ban, looked in a different mood and smashed the bowlers all across the park.

Meanwhile Mominul remained cautious but was caught and bowled by leg-spinner Brighton Chipungu after scoring 29 off 77 balls.

Shakib continued to punish the bowlers and reached his fifty off 49 balls with a cover drive and eventually retired on 74 off 56 balls, which included 14 fours and a six. Liton Das and Mahmudullah Riyad were at the crease when the umpires called off the days' play.