Batting collapse offsets bowling boost as Tigers draw UAE practice match
Bangladesh suffered a first-innings batting collapse before a strong bowling response secured a draw in their two-day practice match against UAE in Dubai.
Bangladesh experienced a severe batting collapse in their first innings before a spirited fightback from the bowling unit rescued a draw against the UAE in their two-day practice fixture at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Monday.
After the top order faltered on Day 1, Soumya Sarkar provided the lone resistance by top-scoring with an unbeaten 57. The rest of the batting lineup crumbled as the team was bundled out for a paltry 234.
The bowling department quickly made amends for the batting woes. Pacer Iqbal Hossain Emon spearheaded the attack brilliantly, ripping through the opposition to claim four wickets for just 30 runs in six overs as the hosts were dismissed for 222.
Spinner Taijul Islam lent strong support with three for 58, while pacers Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed chipped in with a wicket each. Muhammad Waseem offered the main resistance for the UAE with a brisk 69 off 76 balls.
Armed with a narrow 12-run lead, Bangladesh moved to 114 for three in their second innings before stumps on the second day. Mominul Haque and Shadman Islam opened the innings after Soumya spent valuable time in the middle during the first day.
Mominul was eventually run out after contributing 24 runs, while Shadman retired following a steady knock of 32. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim found much-needed rhythm after falling cheaply in the first innings.
Mushfiqur compiled a fluent 44 off 53 deliveries before being dismissed as the final wicket of the day, leaving Jaker Ali unbeaten on 11. The squad will now head to Abu Dhabi to join the contingent returning from the Asian Games.
The combined Test squad will hold training sessions before facing Afghanistan in a lone Test match starting on Friday, September 9, following practice days on September 7 and 8.