Soumya stars in Sydney thrashing

Bangladesh chased down 84 in 6.4 overs, losing three wickets in the rain-curtailed practice match against Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval today.

After the completion of Sydney Sixers’ innings, rain delay compelled the match officials to shorten the match, and gave BCB XI the target of 84 in eight overs under the lights. BCB XI openers Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar came out to bat like men possessed and plundered the Sydney attack from the very onset, taking 17 runs in the first over.

Soumya, who had not enjoyed the best of form of late got into the runs, and looked pretty good as he spent time at the middle. After a flying start, BCB XI lost three wickets for eight runs, but Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim smacked some timely boundaries and took their team home.

Earlier, a strong start from the Sydney Sixers allowed them to reach 169 after 20 overs.

BCB XI captain Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and decided to field first given the conditions. Sydney openers Jason Roy and Dan Hughes tore into the Bangladesh attack early, and their side romped to 64 in only six overs without the loss of any wickets. Hughes top-scored with 47 from 31 while Roy plundered 42 from 23.

Bangladesh bowlers fought back after the opening onslaught and managed to peg back Sydney with some quick wickets late in the innings. Soumya Sarkar took three wickets while Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed captured two wickets each.

Jordan Silk provided the late boost by hitting 35 from 29 balls.

Bangladesh's next practice match will be against Sydney Thunder on Saturday, December 17, 2016.

Brief Score

Sydney Sixers: 169 for 7 (20 overs)

Hughes 47, Roy 42, Silk 35, Soumya 3-5, Taskin 2-38, Taijul 2-38, Mashrafe 1-29

BCB XI: 84 for 3 in 6.4 overs (Target 84 in 8 overs)

Mahmudullah 28 not out (13 balls), Soumya 20 (9 balls), Mushfiqur 15 not out (8 balls), Kayes 12 (7 balls)

Result: BCB XI win by 7 wickets (DL method)

BCB XI Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarker, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Shabbir Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Tanveer Haider, Taijul Islam, Kamrul Islam Rabbi