Travelling partner Emon takes four wickets as two-day warm-up ends in draw

Travelling partner Iqbal Hossain Emon made the most of his chance in Bangladesh’s two-day practice match against Afghanistan, taking four wickets as the Tigers bowled the visitors out for 222 in Abu Dhabi.

Emon returned figures of 4-30, while left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed 3-58. Bangladesh secured a 12-run first-innings lead before reaching 114-3 in their second innings, bringing the warm-up match to a draw.

Bangladesh’s bowlers wrapped up Afghanistan’s innings swiftly, taking the final four wickets for just nine runs. Imon, an Under-19 paceman, impressed alongside established quicks Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed.

The youngster had also impressed on Bangladesh Emerging and ‘A’ team tours of South Africa two months ago. He has now travelled to the UAE with the national side as a travelling partner rather than a member of the main squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.

With Bangladesh fielding 11 players in the practice match, Imon was handed an opportunity to bowl, and he grabbed it with both hands.

The match also gave Bangladesh’s batters valuable time in the middle ahead of the Abu Dhabi Test. Mominul Haque and Shadman Islam retired on 26 and 32 respectively to give Mushfiqur Rahim and Jaker Ali Anik an opportunity to bat.

Mushfiqur made 44, while Jaker remained unbeaten on 11 as Bangladesh finished on 114-3, bringing the two-day contest to an end.