Tamim and Tigers tune up well

Bangladesh had a good outing in the 50-over warm-up game yesterday, looking comfortable as they posted 296 for six against Zimbabwe Select XI ahead of the first ODI of the three-match series tomorrow.

More than the result, it was important for the Tigers to get into the limited-overs groove after winning a one-off Test by a comprehensive 220 runs to start the tour. Zimbabwe XI were on 185 for 7 with 10 overs left in the match.

Pacers Ebadot Hossain , Mosaddek Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin bagged two wickets each while young left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam scalped one.

Another welcome sight for the visitors was ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal spending a decent amount of time at the crease and scoring a 50 after Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat. Tamim is still recovering from the knee pain that caused him to miss the lone Test and appeared to be in some discomfort later in the innings. He was dismissed for a 63-ball 66 that included eleven fours and a six, ending an 87-run opening stand with left-hander Mohammad Naim, who walked back soon after for a 52-ball 25.

Shakib Al Hasan, who has been struggling with the bat, faced 60 deliveries for his 37 before being caught at mid-on off the bowling of seamer Faraz Akram. Liton Das, who normally opens the innings in ODIs, came in at number four but could manage just two runs before becoming off-spinner Wesley Madhevere's second victim. However, Mohammad Mithun and Mosaddek Hossain utilised the opportunity and scored in the thirties before retiring.

Young Afif Hossain also chipped in with 28 off 23 while wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan scored 18 off 12 and Mohammad Saifuddin remained not out on 12 to post a big total of 296 for six.

Although things went well in the game, Bangladesh faced a huge blow as news broke that the visitors would be without Mushfiqur Rahim for the rest of the series, the cricketing having returned home due to family reasons according to a BCB media release yesterday.

Mushfiqur was asked on Tuesday to stay back with the T20 squad after completion of the ODI series on July 20 due to the quarantine protocols for the Australia series at home. But it was learned that Mushfiqur's parents had both tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday and had travelled from Bogura to Dhaka yesterday.

Bangladesh will sorely miss the service of their most consistent batsman, who has also been in terrific form in the 50-over format recently and had been named man of the series against Sri Lanka. The wicketkeeper-batsman hit two match-winning knocks of 84 and 125 in the first two games as the Tigers won the three match ODI series 2-1 in May.

In Mushfiqur's absence, the think-tank may opt for Liton at number four, leaving Mohammad Mithun and Mosaddek Hossain to fight for a place in the playing eleven. The three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe will be crucial for Tamim and the Tigers as it is part of the ICC Men's World Cup Super League. Bangladesh are currently in second place in the points table with five wins in nine games, but Tamim and his troops will be looking to grab as the maximum number of points from the series ahead of tougher assignments.