Thaindian News

Chittagong, Feb 12 (IANS) Tamim Iqbal scored a blistering half-century as Bangladesh crushed Canada by nine wickets in their first warm-up match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium here Saturday.Bangladesh, electing to field, bowled Canada out for a paltry 112 in 37.3 overs and knocked off the runs in just 19.2 overs.

Explosive opener Tamim smashed 69 off 50 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes.

Openers Tamim and Imrul Kayes (39) plundered 106 runs, ripping apart the Canadian bowling attack.

Kayes struck five fours in his 57-ball innings.

Medium pacer Rizwan Cheema bowled Tamim out with Bangladesh needing seven runs for victory. Junaid Siddique (1) and Kayes took the team home.

Earlier, Bangladesh captain and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets, giving away only five runs. Fast bowlers Shaiful Islam and Rubel Hossain and off-spinner Mahmudullah claimed two wickets each.

Canada, who are making their fourth World cup appearance, lost wickets from the start and never recovered.

Captain Ashish Bagai was the top-scorer with 30 runs while Jimmy Hansra contributed 22. The duo shared a 39-run stand for the fourth wicket, but once they were separated, Canada’s batting fell apart.

Bangladesh will play Pakistan in Dhaka in their second warm-up match Tuesday while Canada will take on England Wednesday.

In their first World Cup match, Bangladesh, who upset India in the previous edition, will again take on the subcontinent giants in the opening match of World Cup in Dhaka Feb 19. Canada will play Sri Lanka at Hambantota in a Group A match.