Sabbir century helps BCB XI beat Pakistan in a thriller
Half-centuries from Mohammad Hafeez and Fawad Alam vindicated Pakistan’s decision to bat first as the tourists made a fighting 268 for 9 at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium on Wednesday.
In reply, the BCB XI coasted to the win with seven balls to spare.
The BCB XI were off to a poor start losing opener Rony Talukdar, who has been drafted into the ODI squad for the first two matches, out for a duck.
They soon slumped to 9 for 2 in the sixth over when Tamim Iqbal (9), replacing regular captain Nasir Hossain, was trapped leg-before by Rahat Ali.
Sabbir, who was brought up the order, and Liton Das put up some resistance before the latter went back scoring 22 off 27 balls.
When stand-in captain Mominul Haque (12) was out lbw to legspinner Yasir Shah, the BCB XI were back under pressure at 81 for 4.
But a superb fifth-wicket partnership between Sabbir and Imrul Kayes brought the chase back on track. The pair knocked up 124 runs in 19 overs.
Sabbir took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers smashing seven boundaries and eight sixes in his whirlwind 99-ball 123.
Wahab Riaz broke the partnership going through the gates of Kayes (36) in the 38th over with the BCB XI still requiring 64 runs to win.
Sabbir soon followed, out to Junaid Khan, after setting up his side for a late assault.
Shuvagata Hom Chowdhury’s (5) quick departure brought some nervy moments to BCB XI camp.
But Sohag Gazi was on hand, making 36 off 28 balls with four boundaries and a six.
He added 31 runs for the ninth wicket with Shahid, who hit the winning runs.
Junaid Khan bagged 4 for 38.
Earlier, Azhar Ali scored 27 off 49 balls in his first innings as captain. Hafeez continued after his partner’s fall scoring 85 off 79 balls.
After Shuvagata took Hafeez out in the 28th over, Fawad Alam remained unbeaten (67 off 58 balls) to help his side to the total.
For BCB XI, Shuvagata picked up 3 for 39.
The last time Bangladesh beat Pakistan was in the group phase of the 1999 World Cup.
The Tigers have been unable to beat them in any format of the game since.
Sabbir century helps BCB XI beat Pakistan in a thriller -
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