Bangladesh’s preparations for their upcoming series against the 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’ secured a commanding 128-run victory over Team ‘B’ in a contest designed to sharpen match readiness and test squad depth.
The fixture formed part of an extended national preparation camp, ongoing since last month, with a strong emphasis on fitness conditioning, technical refinement, and tactical execution ahead of Bangladesh’s international commitments. With selection places under active consideration, the match provided a timely opportunity for players to press their claims.
Saif Hassan Anchors Dominant Total
Batting first after being asked to take strike, Team ‘A’ posted an imposing 292 for 7 from their 50 overs. The innings was built around a superb performance from Saif Hassan, who struck a fluent 138 off 133 deliveries. His innings combined patience with controlled aggression, serving as the backbone of the innings and strengthening his case for a top-order role.
Early wickets fell cheaply, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim dismissed for 7, while Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das managed only 12 and 9 respectively.
The middle order added stability through useful contributions. Towhid Hridoy scored 25, while Afif Hossain made 34. Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 20 before a late surge from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who smashed 27 off just 13 balls, propelled the total towards the 300-mark.
For Team ‘B’, Mehidy Hasan was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 55 from eight overs, though the attack struggled to contain scoring pressure throughout the innings.
Taskin Ahmed Leads Clinical Bowling Display
In reply, Team ‘B’ never recovered from early setbacks and were eventually dismissed for 164 in 36.3 overs, falling well short of the 293-run target.
Soumya Sarkar provided the only substantial resistance with a composed 55 from 85 balls. Supporting efforts came from Shamim Hossain Patowary (31) and Mahidul Islam Ankon (24), but a lack of partnerships prevented any meaningful recovery.
Lower-order contributions from Nurul Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain added 15 runs each, but the chase remained firmly out of reach.
The decisive spell came from Taskin Ahmed, who produced an incisive 4 for 27 in six overs. His pace, movement, and disciplined lengths dismantled the batting line-up and ensured a comfortable finish for Team ‘A’.
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 | — |
Positive Signs Ahead of New Zealand Series
The performance will be encouraging for selectors as Bangladesh continue preparations for their series against New Zealand. Saif Hassan’s century strengthens his claim for a top-order berth, while Taskin Ahmed’s sharp bowling performance reaffirms his status as a key leader of the pace attack.
With several players making strong statements in a competitive environment, the squad appears to be developing both depth and clarity ahead of a demanding international assignment.