Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored a ton vs CA XI | PC- X/BCB
Bangladesh are on the Australian shores for a Test series after a gap of 23 years. In the build-up to the historic tour Down Under, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz slammed a fighting century in his first outing in the alien conditions.
The last time the Bangla Tigers toured Australia was back in 2003, under the leadership of Khaled Mahmud. Even the legendary Mushfiqur Rahim was yet to make his international debut. In contrast, a five-year-old Mehidy Hasan Miraz would have been roaming around in the streets of Khulna.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz rescues Bangladesh vs CA XI
Twenty-three years down the line, Bangladesh, a far superior side in international cricket, are back on the Australian shores for a historic two-match series. In the build-up to the Test series, the Asian side had a testing time against Cricket Australia XI at the Marrara Cricket Ground, but Mehidy Hasan Miraz pulled them out of deep waters.
Batting first, Bangladesh had a shaky start as they lost four wickets early on, with the scoreboard reading 61/4, which soon turned into 101/5 as Miraz walked out to the middle.
As the off-spinning all-rounder came to the crease, he lost Amite Hasan in quick succession, but Saumya Sarkar accompanied him well. The two added 48 runs between them before Sarkar went down.
Later, Miraz batted with the tailenders, while he stitched a crucial 69-run stand for the last wicket with Syed Khaled Ahmed. In the process, he remained unbeaten on 109* after facing 141 balls, as Bangladesh were bundled out for 263 runs.
Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed strike early before CA XI steady the ship
After the team was bowled out for 263 in 75.5 overs, the bowlers got a go in the final hour on Day 1 of the three-day fixture. Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed shared the new ball with perfection, as the two removed the two openers- Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway- inside the first three overs of the innings.
However, Kurtis Patterson and Josh Philippe revived the innings for CA XI, stitching an unbeaten stand of 49 for the third wicket. Although Bangladesh tried four of their fast bowlers, they had no answers whatsoever for Patterson and Philippe, who took the hosts to stumps without any more hiccups.
Bangladesh pick strong squad for Australian Tests
Even in the absence of the speedster Nahid Rana, the BCB has picked a strong squad, with a fearsome fast bowling attack. The national selectors have taken a massive punt on Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain, along with Syed Khaled Ahmed and Mohammad Musfik Hasan.
Apart from these five burly pacers, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam will handle the spin department.
The batting will be headed by the evergreen duo of Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, and Najmul Hasan Shanto and Jaker Ali will complement the experienced duo.
After the three-day affair against CA XI, Bangladesh will be at loggerheads with Australia in the first Test at the very same venue in Darwin on August 13, before the caravan moves to Mackay for the second match on August 22.
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