||CF Correspondent||

Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam brimmed with confidence after hitting a classy half-century on the day one of the two-match practice matches against New Zealand XI on Saturday at the Lincoln.

Shadman who played just one Test and showed his credential to be a horse of long race said the half-century was confidence-booster him ahead of the first Test, scheduled to be held at Hamilton on February 28.

While the top-order batting debacle cost Bangladesh the three-match ODI series, Shadman looked to bring up a solution to the puzzle, forming a 113-run partnership with Tamim Iqbal for the opening stand on day one. He contributed with 67 off 113, sending the ball across the rope for nine times.

But more his patience gave the side a solidity which they missed at the top of the order in ODI series in which they were whitewashed.importantly

“I got the confidence after hitting the fifty in the practice game,” said Shadman after the game of day one.

“They bowled well, and we responded with a good batting effort. Most of our batsmen played well, and they have batted with a lot of passion. We will try to replicate this performance in the Test series as well,” he remarked.

The 23-year old, considered as the Test specialist and the advice of batting coach Neil McKenzie as key to adjusting with the condition very quickly unlike his other colleagues.for the time being, credit his hard work.