Mushfiqur, Nasir fifties lift Bangladeshis

Mushfiqur Rahim and Nasir Hossain struck fifties and shared an unbeaten 144-run partnership for the seventh wicket to revive a struggling Bangladeshi innings on the opening day of their three-day tour game against St Kitts & Nevis.

Bangladeshis, who kept out fast bowler Al-Amin Hossain for the 13-a-side game, had chosen to bat first. Their start, however, was shaky as Shamsur Rahman fell in the fourth over, after having added 22 off 23 balls with Tamim Iqbal. Tamim and Mominul Haque fell for scores of 20 and 10 and Imrul Kayes failed to build on his 60-ball 44, leaving the Bangladeshis at a precarious 92 for 4. The Bangladeshi top four had lost their wickets to fast bowler Quinton Boatswain and Jeremiah Lewis, who finished the day with 2 for 35 and 2 for 36 respectively.

After Mahmudullah fell for 27, allrounder Shuvagata Hom and Mushfiqur tried to steady the innings with a 48-run stand. Shuvagata was eventually run-out for 48, after which Mushfiqur and Nasir carried the innings. Mushfiqur finished the day on 82 not out off 126 balls, with five fours and three sixes, while Nasir was on 78 off 122 with six fours and two sixes.