Green-XI won the practice match, Nasir and Elias shine on last day

Nasir Hossain and Elias Sunny gave an impression of their abilities during the final day of the practice game at the GP-BCB Academy ground yesterday.

Both all-rounders stood out on a day when the more serious contenders for place in the national side couldn't make the most of an opportunity to bat all day.

The Green XI, led by Mushfiqur Rahim, won by 137 runs after Mohammad Ashraful's Red XI were bowled out in 59 overs for only 224 runs.

Though the pitch and conditions on Sunday were similar to the first day when Junaed Siddiqui batted for more than five hours, Shahriar Nafees, Sahagir Hossain, Rokibul Hasan, Nayeem Islam and Ashraful fell cheaply within the 24th over.

After Rubel Hossain removed Sahagir in the fourth over, Nafees followed suit when he edged one off Shafiul Islam for four.

The wiry paceman then had Rokibul plumb in front when the right-hander completely misread a fast length ball. Ashraful and Naeem added 26 for the fourth wicket before both offered soft catches, leaving the match redundant.

Ashraful struck five splendid boundaries in his 52-ball 22 but as soon as left-arm spinner Sunny came to bowl, he gave Mahmudullah Riyad a simple catch at slip.

But Nasir decided to make the best of his first Tigers camp by hammering 18 boundaries and a six in a forceful three-hour essay. Along with Sohrawardi Shuvo, who made 29, he added 60 for the sixth wicket and remained unbeaten till the end. He reached his century off 120 balls, ending on an unbeaten 101.

Sunny, who ran through the middle and lower order, ended with four wickets while Shafiul impressed in two spells.

The Bogra-born paceman took three wickets after he removed Syed Rasel quickly towards the fag end of the Red XI innings.

Chief selector Akram Khan said he was happy with what was achieved from the game.

"I think we go what we wanted. The players needed to apply the right mindset and they did that. They adapted quickly, something that we were worried about," said the former national captain.

Coach Sarwar Imran was also pleased with the outcome. "It is better than just doing nets so in that sense, I'm happy. Some of the batsmen got runs and that is always good," he said.

SCORES IN BRIEF
GREEN XI: 361-4 in 90 overs (Junaed 98, Mushfiqur 82 retired, Riyad 70 not out; Robiul 2-37, Nasir 1-63, Ashraful 1-42)

RED XI: 224 all out in 59 overs (Nasir 101 not out, Sohrawardi 29, Ashraful 22; Sunny 4-40, Shafiul 3-31)

Result: Red XI won by 137 runs.

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