Shakib, Sabbir take Tigers to 255

Bangladesh top-order batsmen failed to do anything big once again on Thursday, but fifties from Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman helped them post a decent score of 255 in the warm-up match against Cricket South Africa Invitation XI at Bloemfontein.

The visitors lost four wickets inside the first 15 overs after Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza had won the toss and elected to bat first.

Opener Imrul Kayes looked in fine form, but Robbie Frylinck struck in consecutive balls to remove Soumya Sarkar and Imrul to unsettle the Tigers.

Imrul had made a fine start, hitting six fours in his 27-run innings. Soumya only managed three while Liton Das scored eight before Mushfiqur Rahim returned to the pavillion making 22.

Shakib then made a 57-run partnership with Mahmudullah (21), which was followed by a 76-run stand with Sabbir Rahman.

The all-rounder hit 68 off 67 balls thanks to nine fours, while Sabbir made 52 from 54 balls, courtesy of two fours and three sixes, to salvage the team's pride.

Skipper Mashrafe's 17 from 13 balls took the score past 250.