Zimbabwe Vs BCB XI Warm Up Match Played at BKSP Dhaka , 18-19 February 2020 
Brief Scorecard :
Zimbabwe 291/7 ( KT Kasuja 70,CT Mumba 54* ,PS Masvura 46, T Maruma 34, A Ndlovu 25* , Shahadat Hussain 3/16 , Al Amin 2/40, Shoriful 1/45), BCBXI 288/5 ( Tanzid Hasan Tamim 125* , Al Amin 100* , Pervez Hossain Emon 34 , A Ndlovu 2/51)
Match : Drawn.

Swashbuckling unbeaten centuries by junior Tamim and Junior Al Amin brought sunshine when the sky of Bangladesh Cricket Board XI was getting engulfed with dark grey cloud at 69/5 responding to Zimbabwean first innings score of 291/7 declared. At BKSP Dhaka in the 2 day warm up match captain Al Amin (100*) and Tanzid Hasan Tamim (125*) delighted the home crowd with scintillating display of exquisite stroke play. They assured their seniors that playing positive aggressive cricket it is very much possible to showcase the talent. Their 219 runs unbroken 6th wicket partnership was the feature of BCBXI 288/5. Earlier on the day Zimbabwean pacers and spinner almost crushed the hosts reducing them to 69/5. Junior Tamim, one of the hero of victorious Bangladesh Under 19 joined his captain Al Amin Junior. They did not panicked. Rather unleashing brilliant counter attack the juniors exposed the depth of visitors limited bowling resources . BCB XI innings was in tatters as Naim (11), Emon (34) , Joy (1) , Shahadat (2 ) and Akbar (1) were back in the pavilion too early. Bangladesh usually panic in such situation and gets wrapped up. It was a great sign that the juniors did not and playing quality cricket they gave lot of confidence to their seniors for the test that starts on 22 February at SBNCS. They also put BCB selectors in a dilemma whether they should be given opportunity in ODI against the visitors.

Usually in warm up matches touring teams get their bearings right getting feel of local conditions . Bangladesh did not include any one from the test squad. Rather the team was made of fringe players and five members of the victorious Under 19 team. Winning the toss and electing to bat tourists made local boys toil for the wicket. Openers Masvaura and Kasuja played with ease and put on 105 in the opening partnership as Makidul Islam and Shoriful Islam found it difficult containing the, Captain Al Amin with his occasional spin made the first break through. Once the ice was melted another occasional spinner Shahadat( did not bowl at all in Under19 world cup mission) grabbing three quick wickets decimated tourists from 1/105 to 5/146 in no time.  However late middle order rallied and tourists at stumps were 291/7.

Tourists declared at overnight score and their bowlers exploited the early morning moistened wicket.  Bangladesh T20 international Naim Shiekh was struck a blow Local boys lost their way. None other than Pervez Emon could withstand the aggression of the Tourist pacers and guile of their spinner. Naim, Joy, Shahadat and Akbar were blown away. Pervez staying with his captain Al Amin for a while was also gone. BCBXI were looking down the bareel at 5/69 . With back to the wall teenage talents Tanzid Tamim and Al Amin Joy bounced back with courage , determination . They unleashed fearless counter attack. In his 99 balls unbeaten 125 junior Tamim savaged tourist’s 14 fours and 5 sixes. Al Amin was a bit calm in his 145 balls unbeaten 100 striking 16 boundaries. BCBXI reached 288/5 as soon as Al Amin reached century.

The youngsters really impressed. It was a great show. Off course one must not conclude a lot from a warm up match. But the way the youngsters came back in the match both with the ball and bat after initial reverses talks a lot of the future of Bangladesh cricket. Moreover, being played at BKSP the breeding ground of Bangladesh it encouraged the budding young cricketers a lot. 

BRAVO BOYS 

BDST: 1314 HRS, FEB 20, 2020
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