Shahid five-for seals narrow win for Bangladesh A

Bangladesh A prevailed in a thrilling contest to beat Zimbabwe A by 14 runs in the first unofficial Test in Harare on Thursday. Mohammad Shahid took 5 for 45 as the home side were bowled out for 129 runs in their second-innings chase of 144.

Shahid took the first five wickets in the Zimbabwe A innings, removing Hamilton Masakadza, Peter Moor, Brian Chari, Vusi Sibanda and Donald Tiripano as they slipped to 46 for 5. Left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib took three wickets while Taijul Islam and Shuvagata Hom took one each.

Ryan Burl was unbeaten on 36 but he couldn't manage the win as Zimbabwe A's tail crumbled quickly.

The visitors, however, were always behind the game after they were bowled out for 268 in the first innings after electing to bat. Mosaddek Hossain was the only major contributor with 66 runs while Sibanda took 3 for 32.

The home side made 336 all out in reply, with Peter Moor hitting four sixes and eleven fours in his 155-ball 104. Burl and Masakadza struck fifties too. Taijul took four wickets while Shahid and Abu Jayed took three wickets each. Tiripano was Jayed's 100th first-class victim, when the pacer dismissed him the first innings.

Behind by 68 runs Bangladesh A batted poorly in the second innings as well, folding for 211. Trevor Garwe took five wickets while Nurul Hasan made 79 off 128 balls.

But the 143-run lead proved enough as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.