Hossain spins BCB XI into spotlight at Anvir Cricket Stadium

Under-19 leg-spinner Md Hossain seized his opportunity against the West Indies, claiming four wickets for BCB XI in a drawn two-day unofficial warm-up match at Anvir Cricket Stadium in the Anvir Bashundhara Group (ABG) Sports City.

BCB XI declared on 371-7 before the visitors closed the second day on 336-6 after 80 overs on Friday, with Hossain’s impressive spell providing one of the match’s standout performances.

Kalam Siddiki Aleen led the hosts’ batting charge with 135 off 184 balls, striking 20 fours and a six. Having come close to centuries in his previous two National Cricket League (NCL) matches, the batter finally converted his promising form into a three-figure score.

The West Indies responded positively, with Brandon King scoring 40 and John Campbell making 65 before retiring hurt. Campbell struck nine fours and two sixes in his 78-ball knock, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul contributed 31.

Kevin Wickham and captain Roston Chase then steadied the visitors with an unbeaten partnership. Wickham scored 67 not out off 107 balls, including seven fours, while Chase remained unbeaten on 46 off 65 deliveries as the West Indies finished on 336-6.

Hossain was the pick of the BCB XI bowlers, taking four wickets for 55 runs in 12.2 overs. Anik Debbarma claimed the other wicket. Young pacer Anik Debbarma grabbed one in the hunt.

Speaking after the match, the right-arm leg-break googly said the opportunity to bowl against an international side had boosted his confidence and thanked the team management, his captain and teammates for their support.

“I tried my best. They told me that I could do it, so I bowled with confidence,” he said.

The young leg-spinner felt the West Indies batters had struggled to play him defensively, particularly as the pitch began to offer some turn on the second day.

Hossain credited Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan as his inspiration and revealed that Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain had offered him tips during a wrist-spin camp when he was playing Under-18 cricket.

“If leg-spinners can perform or bowl well, they definitely get opportunities,” he said, adding that he would try to give his best wherever he got the chance in the upcoming NCL, whether in the first or second team.

The warm-up match offered the West Indies valuable preparation ahead of their upcoming Test series, while providing emerging and fringe Bangladesh players with a platform to test themselves against international opposition.