Mushfiqur and Kayes find form in drawn game

South African Airways Challenge XI 265 (van Wyk 87, Seymore 75, Shahadat 3-33, Mehrab 3-43) and 74 for 2 (Shahadat 2-19) drew with Bangladeshis 375 (Mushfiqur 89, Kayes 86, Ashraful 48, Shezi 4-42)
Scorecard

	Mushfiqur Rahim top scored in the drawn two-day game in Kimberley (file photo) © AFP

Imrul Kayes boosted his prospects of a debut in the first Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein, which starts on November 19, with an 86 in the Bangladeshis' drawn two-day tour match against the South African Airways Challenge XI in Kimberley. Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim top scored with 89 as the Bangladeshis took a 110-run first-innings lead, and there were useful scores for captain Mohammad Ashraful and Naeem Islam in the only warm-up game ahead of the two-Test series.

Resuming on 92 for 2, Kayes and Ashraful went past a century stand for the third wicket before Ashraful was out for 48, caught behind off medium-pacer Lundi Mbane. Ashraful's 48 needed only 50 balls, and his team would hope he has a longer stay in the middle during the Tests. Mehrab Hossain jnr and Shakib Al Hasan both fell cheaply, and in between Kayes was dismissed. He took 150 balls for his 86, which included 15 fours.

A 116-run stand between Rahim and Naeem nudged the Bangladeshis into the lead. They were eventually dismissed for 375, with left-arm medium-pacer Mthokozisi Shezi taking 4 for 42.

Fast bowler Shahadat Hossain, whose three-wicket burst in the SAA Challenge XI's first innings pegged them back, took two in the second as the hosts scored 74 for 2 in 19 overs before stumps.