Bangladesh ‘A’ team began their Top End T20 campaign on a losing note as they lost to Pakistan Shaheens by 79 runs in the series opener at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.
Chasing a huge target of 228, Nurul Hasan-led team was skittled for 148 in 16.5 overs despite a brisk start.
After opting to bat first, the Shaheens made a sparkling start thanks to their openers Khawaja Nafay and Yasir Khan, as they accumulated 118 runs without losing any wickets in the first 11 overs.
The partnership was finally broken when Nafay was run out in the 12th over after making 61 off 31 while hitting eight fours and two sixes.
Nafay, who played in the BPL, was pretty animated at his partner as a miscommunication led to his run-out.
Yasir, who made 62 off 40, couldn’t last long as he was caught behind off Mahfuzur Rahman.
But two wickets in two overs couldn’t halt Shaheen’s progress as number three Abdul Samad raised the tempo in his unbeaten innings of 56 from just 27 deliveries. He hit one four and five sixes.
Muhammad Faiq (18 off 10) and Irfan Khan (25 off 12) helped Shaheens to reach a daunting total of 227 in 20 overs.
Bangladesh ‘A’ captain Nurul used six bowlers, but none could yield much success. Rakibul Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, and Mahfuzur each took one wicket.
However, after losing Mohammad Naim early in the chase, Jishan Alam and Saif Hassan instilled hope into the Bangladesh side in their partnership of 86 runs from 38 balls.
But with Jishan’s (33 off 17) departure, Bangladesh ‘A’ crumbled down as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Saif made 57 off 32 while hitting five fours and three sixes, but none could reach even double figures barring Nurul (22 off 16) after him.
The right-arm medium-pace duo of Faisal Akram and Saad Masood took three wickets each for Shaheens.
Bangladesh ‘A’ will face Nepal ‘A’ on Saturday at the DXC Arena.