Bangladesh’s preparations for their upcoming series against New Zealand national cricket team gathered strong momentum as a high-intensity intra-squad 50-over fixture at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium produced standout performances from Saif Hassan and Taskin Ahmed. Team ‘A’ registered a dominant 128-run victory over Team ‘B’ in a match designed to test squad depth and match readiness.
The warm-up encounter formed part of an extended preparation camp, which has been ongoing since last month, focusing on sharpening fitness levels, technical skills, and tactical awareness ahead of Bangladesh’s international commitments. With selection decisions approaching, the match served as an important platform for players to stake their claims.
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Saif Hassan Leads Commanding Batting Effort
Batting first after being asked to take strike, Team ‘A’ posted a commanding 292 for 7 from their allotted 50 overs. The innings was anchored by Saif Hassan, who produced a fluent and controlled 138 from 133 deliveries, blending resilience with well-timed aggression. His innings stood out as the defining performance of the match and reinforced his credentials as a top-order option.
Early setbacks saw Tanzid Hasan Tamim fall for 7, while Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das also failed to convert starts, scoring 12 and 9 respectively.
The middle order, however, provided valuable support. Towhid Hridoy contributed 25, while Afif Hossain added a steady 34. Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with 20, before a late flourish from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who struck 27 off just 13 balls, lifted the total close to the 300-mark.
For Team ‘B’, the most effective bowler was Mehidy Hasan, who finished with figures of 2 for 55 from eight overs, though the attack overall struggled to contain scoring.
Taskin Ahmed Destroys Chase
In response, Team ‘B’ were never able to establish control of the chase. Set a target of 293, they were bowled out for 164 in 36.3 overs, undone by regular breakthroughs and a lack of substantial partnerships.
Soumya Sarkar offered the only significant resistance with a composed 55 from 85 balls. Supporting contributions came from Shamim Hossain Patowary (31) and Mahidul Islam Ankon (24), but neither was able to anchor a sustained recovery.
Lower-order resistance from Nurul Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain added 15 runs each, but the target remained firmly out of reach.
The standout bowling performance came from Taskin Ahmed, who delivered a blistering spell of 4 for 27 in six overs. His pace, accuracy, and ability to extract movement proved decisive as he ripped through the batting line-up and effectively sealed the contest.
Match Summary
| Category | Team ‘A’ | Team ‘B’ |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 292/7 (50 overs) | 164 all out (36.3 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Saif Hassan – 138 | Soumya Sarkar – 55 |
| Key Contributions | Afif Hossain 34, Sakib 27 | Shamim 31, Ankon 24 |
| Best Bowler | Mehidy Hasan Miraz – 2/55 | Taskin Ahmed – 4/27 |
| Result | Team ‘A’ won by 128 runs | — |
Encouraging Signs Ahead of New Zealand Tour
The performance will provide encouragement to selectors and team management as Bangladesh continue their build-up to the series against New Zealand. Saif Hassan’s century strengthens his case for a top-order role, while Taskin Ahmed’s sharp spell underlines his importance in the pace attack.
With several players making strong statements in a competitive environment, the squad appears to be gaining both depth and clarity ahead of a demanding international assignment.