Rain-marred Sylhet four-dayer ends in draw

The opening four-day match between Bangladesh Emerging team and Zimbabwe A side ended in a draw after inclement weather wiped out nearly three whole days of proceedings in Sylhet.

No play was possible on the first two days while on the penultimate day of the game, only two balls were bowled as the home team were put in to bat by the visitors.

On the final day, opener Zakir Hasan (three) was out cheaply before Mahfijul Islam and Amite Hasan, one of five Test squad members in the side, added 120 runs for the second wicket. Mahfijul retired after a 107-ball 77 studded with 16 fours.

Amite carried on batting alongside Mahidul Islam Ankon and both remained not out on 90 and 21 respectively before captain Jaker Ali Anik declared their innings on 205/2. Amite struck 13 boundaries and a maximum in his 89-ball knock.

In reply, the tourists posted 94 without loss before the encounter ended in a stalemate.

Tarisai Musakanda made 53 off 88 balls while Tanunurwa Makoni scored 33 off 86.

Ebadot Hossain, Robiul Hoque and Nayeem Hasan – three more squad members for the lone Zimbabwe Test with Khaled Ahmed sitting out this game being the other – sent down a few overs as part of their preparation but remained wicketless along with Musfik Hasan and Hasan Murad.

Sylhet will also host the second four-dayer, starting on 24 June.

Bangladesh Emerging team earlier won the three-match one-day series 2-0 with the second game abandoned due to rain and wet outfield.

While Jaker and Co will be looking for victory in the final four-dayer, and also better weather, the Test quintet will now fly off to Zimbabwe for the solitary Test in Harare, slated for 28 June.