Zimbabwe defeat BCB XI in warm-up match

Zimbabwe have defeated BCB XI in their warm-up match at Fatullah by seven wickets. 

Zimbabwe chased down the target of 143 with seven wickets and 16 balls to spare, with Brendan Taylor scoring an unbeaten 57 0ff 44. 

BCB XI won the toss and skipper Saif Hassan elected to bat first. Saif and Mohammad Naim started the innings well before Saif was picked up by Madziva for 21. Nobody from the BCB XI could stand out as they lost wickets at regular intervals as they ended up on 142-7. 

Sabbir Rahman top-scored with 30, and Mushfiqur Rahim, who was unexpectedly playing this match, got out for 26. Youngsters like Afif and Yasir batted poorly, as they only scored 10 and 6 respectively. 

Sean Williams picked up three wickets for the visitors while Neville Madziva picked up a couple. Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara picked up a wicket each. 

In reply, Zimbabwe went off to a flying start before skipper Hamilton Masakadza was picked up by Afif Hossain. Afif struck twice in quick succession to send back Craig Ervine and Sean Williams and reduce Zimbabwe to 66-3. But Taylor, along with Timycen Maruma, ensured no more loss of wickets as they reached the target with 16 balls in hand. 

Brendan Taylor top-scored with 57, but Maruma was relentless as he scored 46 off only 28 deliveries. Afif was the only bowler to pick wickets for the BCB XI as he finished with the figures of 3-19.