The lone Test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will start on Wednesday (July 7). BCB has included all of the senior players in the squad for the Test series. Players from the Bangladesh squad played a two-day warm-up match against a Zimbabwe Select XI before this longer-version contest. This practice match was necessary to ensure full preparation for the crucial Test match. The players had a fruitful practice in this match as almost everyone scored runs and bowlers took wickets. Big takeaways from the warm-up match ahead of the BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021 are discussed in this article.
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The Warm-Up Match Highlights Ahead of the BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021
Batting
All the Bangladeshi batsmen had a good time in the middle during the warm-up match against Zimbabwe Select XI at the Harare Sports Club. Opted to bat first, Bangladesh scored 313/2d, but Most of Bangladesh's batters retired on their own to give others a chance to bat. Only Shadman Islam and the skipper MominulHaque lost their wickets in the innings.
Shadman Islam opened the innings along with SaifHasan for Bangladesh. Saif seemed solid and confident while Shadman was a bit shaky and eventually returned to the pavilion without scoring a run.
Bangladesh skipper MominulHaque stepped out to bat when SaifHasan retired hurt after a fantastic 65 (108) run knock that included 13 boundaries and a six. MominulHaque scored 31 runs in 77 balls before giving up his wicket to Chipungu.
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Following Mominul's departure, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan stepped out to bat and scored 74 off 56 balls, including 14 boundaries and a six. It was a crucial knock for Shakib, who has struggled to score since his comeback to international cricket in January this year. This innings would boost his confidence ahead of the forthcoming Test match.
Apart from that, Najmul Hossain Shanto (52), Liton Das (37), and veteran Mahmudullah Riyad (40) enjoyed their time at the crease.
Tamim Iqbal (18) and Shadman Islam (4) stayed unbeaten in the second innings, putting up 22 runs in their opening partnership.
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Bowling
In the chase of Bangladesh’s 312 runs, Zimbabwe were all-out for 202 runs in 72.5 overs. TimycenMaruma (58) scored the most runs for Zimbabwe Select XI, while opener TakudzwanasheKaitano (32) and middle-order batsman Wesley Madhevere (28) both played good innings for the Zimbabwean side.
Shakib Al Hasan and MehidyHasanMiraz each took three wickets for Bangladesh. Miraz was a bit expensive, allowing 4 runs per over. Miraz gave up 64 runs in 16 overs while only getting two maiden overs. On the other hand, Shakib had a bowling statistic of 12.5-2-34-3.
Besides them, pacers Shoriful Islam (2), Taskin Ahmed (1), and Ebadot Hossain (1) also bowled well. Bangladesh's most economical bowler was off-spinner NayeemHasan, he conceded only 10 runs in his eight overs but remained wicketless. While Abu JayedRahi gave up 14 runs in his 7 overs spell.
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The Bangladeshi bowlers had a productive practice match, and they will hopefully do much better in the Test match.
Bottom Line
After analyzing the big takeaways from the warm-up match ahead of the BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021, it is clear that the players had a productive practice match. If Mahmudullah Riyad is picked for playing XI, he will play his 50th Test match. However, we can expect the best eleven will take part in the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe.
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