Tamim ton takes Tigers to 391

Opener Tamim Iqbal hit a fine century and young wicket-keeper batsman Liton Das scored an unbeaten half century as Bangladesh racked up an impressive 391 for seven at stumps on the opening day of their two-day practice match against Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI at the De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa today.

The home side will come out to bat tomorrow in a game where each side is allowed to bat for 90 overs.

Tamim scored 136 off 182 balls before retiring after tea. The left-hander, who has not scored big since his hundred against England last year, shared 143 runs for the second wicket with Mominul Haque after opener Soumya Sarkar departed for nine in the morning session. Mominul struck a fluent unbeaten 73 off 103 balls with 10 fours.

The other highlight of the Bangladesh innings was Liton’s unbeaten 57. The wicket-keeper batsman, who is set to stand behind the wicket in the first Test, hit ten fours in his undefeated 64-ball knock.

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, batting at number four instead of number six and perhaps hinting at a promotion up the order for the first Test, scored 21 before being bowled by Chamika Karunaratne, the most successful President’s XI bowler with 3-61.

Tamim reached lunch on a sedate 38 off 93 balls with four boundaries, but opened up thereafter as he scored a further 98 off 89 balls and added five more boundaries and seven sixes.

Shakib Al Hasan also batted briefly and scored 30. Mahmudullah, batting at number six, also chipped in with a useful 43.

Earlier, Tamim and Soumya opened the innings after President’s XI captain Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and elected to field. Bangladesh lost young Souyma for nine after an opening stand of 29 runs.  It was certainly a disappointing start for Soumya, who has been preferred ahead of regular opener Imrul Kayes.

It was a good batting display by Bangladesh going into the two Test series. The first Test will start on March 7 while the second, which will be Bangladesh’s landmark 100th Test, will commence on March 15.