Hossains lead Bangladesh fight back

Opening bowler Shahadat Hossain and left-arm slow bowler Mehrab Hossain sparked a Bangladesh fightback on the first day of a two-day match against a South African Airways Challenge XI at the Diamond Oval Saturday.

The tourists were on 92 for two at the close after bowling out the Challenge XI for 265.

It was a much stronger position than seemed likely after the Challenge XI, made up of players who compete in South Africa's amateur competition, made a strong start, with Divan van Wyk and Andre Seymore putting on 170 for the first wicket at better than four runs an over.

But Shahadat Hossain made a breakthrough when he dismissed both openers as well as number three batsman Alan Beukes in the space of 14 balls.

Then Mehrab Hossain worked his way through the middle order as the Challenge XI subsided to 265 all out, losing all ten wickets for 95 runs in the space of 25 overs.

Neither Shahadat nor Mehrab played in the one-day series against South Africa, which the tourists lost 2-0 with one match washed out.

Bangladesh meet South Africa in the first of two Tests in Bloemfontein, starting Wednesday.

Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes got the Bangladeshis off to a bright start, putting on 51 for the first wicket before first change bowler Mthokozisi Shezi dismissed Iqbal and Junaid Siddique with successive deliveries.

The tourists were without left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak who has flown to Australia to have his bowling action examined after he was reported for having a suspect action during his team's recent home series against New Zealand. He may be back in time for the first Test, however.

It was meanwhile announced that left-arm seam bowler Sajedul Islam will join the squad in place of fellow left-armer Syed Rasel, who has a back injury.