Both teams claim upper-hand as practice game ends in a draw
||CF Correspondent||
Openers Shadman Islam and Soumya Sarkar hit half-centuries as BCB XI didn’t let the West Indies bowlers dominate them thoroughly and prevented them from gaining considerable amount of confidence ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh.
The two-day practice match predictably ended in a draw after Bangladesh compiled 232 for five in reply to West Indies’ 303 for seven (declared) at MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram on Monday.
Soumya who was called up in the Test squad again smashed a 103 ball-78, featured with 10 fours and three sixes while Shadman, who was suddenly added to the squad made 73 off 169 with 10 fours and one six.
Mohammad Mithun who is also in the Bangladesh Test squad spent some quality time in the crease, scoring 27 not out off 70 balls.
But West Indies fast bowler Shanon Gabriel, the Bangladesh’s nemesis in the side’s last tour in Caribbean Island left the field holding his head’s high. Gabriel claimed two for 24 in his eight overs, giving Bangladeshi batsmen some torrid time in the crease. The nature of the pitch however prevented him doing more carnage.
“We know how good they (West Indies fast bowlers) are. Probably due to the nature of the wicket, we could face them comfortably but the original match situation would be different,” said BCB XI batsman Mohammad Mithun.
But Mithun said they held the edge in the practice match, claiming that their top order outshined the West Indies’ batsmen.
“They faced the spin test while our batsmen comfortably faced their bowlers. But our top order played much better than. If the top order’s performance is taken into the consideration we were ahead in the practice game.”
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite also insisted their practice was fine as they are ready to take on Bangladesh.
“I think the preparation is quite good,” Brathwaite said. “Obviously quite similar conditions. One in many things is the pitches are quite similar.
“I expect slow-ish type of pitch; normal surfaces here, so it was the same kind of wicket.”
He also said that they are ready to take the spin challenge.
“We are up for the challenge. We know it won’t be easy. They are a very good team playing at home. We’re ready for the challenge,” he concluded.
