DHAKA — ZIMBABWE’S preparations for next week’s preliminary stages of ICC World Twenty20 (T20) competition got off to a winning start after beating the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) XI side in an unofficial T20 game at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.
Batting first, Zimbabwe finished on 171 for five in 20 overs.
Hamilton Masakadza led the way with a fluent 66 and was well supported by Brendan Taylor’s 42.
Among the bowlers, BCB XI captain Mahmudullah Riyad finished with figures of three for 31 while fit-again pacer Taskin Ahmed bowled two yorkers in his last over to finish on two for 24 in four overs.
In reply, Bangladesh were restricted to 160 for seven. They were given a good start by Soumya Sarker (44) and Sabbir Rahman (39) and kept the asking rate within reach throughout the innings. Nasir Hossain came in later and further pursued the chase. However, he got out on 26 and that’s when the hosts gave the game away.
Zimbabwe is expected to play another unofficial T20 against hosts before their two official warm-up matches scheduled for Wednesday and Friday against Hong Kong and Afghanistan respectively.
The Andy Waller-coached side will battle it in Group B of the preliminary stages of ICC World T20 competition against Ireland, United Arab Emirates and Netherlands for a chance to play in the Super 10.
—The Daily Star
