Junaed makes a point-Bangladeshi Cricket

Junaed Siddiqui cuts on the back-foot during his fine knock of 98 on the opening day of the two-day practice match involving national cricketers at the GP-BCB Academy ground in Mirpur yesterday.

The GP-BCB Academy ground doesn't look like the perfect setting or size for even a practice match but for Junaed Siddiqui, any game of cricket that would help regain his place in the national team is welcome.

The left-hander made 98 out of Green XI's 361 for 4, falling agonisingly short of a century when he top-edged a drive off Nasir Hossain to spoon a simple catch to Rokibul Hasan in the covers.

In the searing heat, it was as much a physical test as it was a mental one but Junaed, having batted for almost five hours, it was slightly unsatisfactory to get out in the nineties.

"I feel bad after getting out like that," he said. "It has happened a few times in the last 3-4 innings. I made 96 for the A team and also 80-odd in the National Cricket League final.

"I have prepared myself mentally to play big innings. It was a fight with myself though the setting is different, I need to make a comeback. All the matches are important to me, be it for the A team or even here in this ground," said Junaed.

Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and decided to bat first but saw Imrul Kayes edge one to wicketkeeper Sahagir Hossain for 13. Junaed and Shuvogoto Hom Chowdhury added 76 for the second wicket before the youngster, batting fluently on 45, gave Mohammad Ashraful a wicket off his first ball.

Junaed and Mushfiqur then batted out the second session and the partnership ended when the Rajshahi batsman's 195-ball knock, laden with 17 boundaries, was ended. The duo added 141 for the third wicket and after the skipper retired after making 82 off 143 balls, the scene was set for Mahmudullah Riyad and Alok Kapali to bat out the rest of the afternoon.

Instead, Kapali gave Sahagir an easy catch off paceman Robiul Islam for a duck after an 11-minute stay.

Riyad, on the other hand, took the aerial route a number of times, ending the day with six sixes and seven fours in an unbeaten 70 off 71 balls. He could have had more but the rules of this game cancel out any six down the ground.

Robiul was the most successful bowler on show with two wickets while Nasir and Ashraful picked up one each.

It was the perfect test to see how the seamers would fare but other than Robiul's tight spell, none of the others could leave an impression on a wicket that kept really low at times.

Left-arm spinner Sohrawardi Shuvo bowled 14 wicketless overs, flinging up at least one short ball each over.

BRIEF SCORES
GREEN XI: 361-4 in 90 overs (Junaed 98, Mushfiqur 82 retired, Riyad 70 not out; Robiul 2-37, Nasir 1-63, Ashraful 1-42)