Bangladesh lost to Pakistan by three wickets in their first official warm-up match of the ICC Cricket World Cup’2015 at the Black Town Olympic Park Oval in the Australian city of Sydney on Saturday.

This was the 3rd consecutive defeat for the Bengal Tigers in practice matches ahead of their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on February 18 in Canberra. Earlier, they lost their first two unofficial warm-up matches against Cricket Australia X1 in Brisbane last week. 

In the day’s day-night practice match, Bangladesh opened the innings first after winning the toss against former world champions Pakistan and scored moderate 246 runs for all in 49.5 overs.

Going to bat first, Bangladesh made a disastrous start losing opener Anamul Haque Bijoy (0) in the last ball of the first over and one down Mominul Haque (7) at 16 for 2 in 6.1 overs.

However, opening batsman Tamim Iqbal pairing with all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad repaired the early damage contributing a polished 168 runs in 33 overs in the 3rd wicket stand. 

Former national vice captain Mahmudullah scored team highest 83 runs off 109 balls with five boundaries before he was run out by Ahmed Shahzad as scoreboard showed 184 for 3 in 39.1 overs.

Tamim Iqbal, who made his first appearance on Monday after recovering from injury, contributed 81 runs off 109 balls with five boundaries before he was bowled by the day’s best performer Muhammad Irfan, leaving Bangladesh total at 190 for 4 in 40.3 overs.

World number one all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan added 30-ball 31 runs with three boundaries, opener Soumya Sarkar, batting at number seven, scored 17-ball 15 runs with a boundary, Sabbir Rahman made 6 while skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza 2 runs. Another 21 runs of the innings came from extras. 

Two other Bangladeshi batsmen -- test captain Mushfiqur Rahim and Arafat Sunny -- returned to the dressing with duck while pacer Rubel Hossain remained not at duck.

Left arm Pakistani pacer Mohammad Irfan caused major damage to Bangladesh innings grabbing five wickets for 52 runs in his 9.5 overs spell with a maiden while Yasir Shah took two wickets for 42 runs.

In reply, Pakistan made a steady start and reached their target scoring match-winning 247 runs for 7 wickets in 48.2 overs that featured an unbeaten 93 runs by number six batsman Sohaib Maqsood.

Maqsood burnished his 90-ball innings with nine fours and two sixes.

Lower order Umar Akmal scored 39 runs off 41 balls with three fours and a six, while Haris Sohail also made 39 runs off 55 balls including one four and a six. 

Besides, one down Younis Khan (25), all-rounder Shahid Afridi (24) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (10) were the other notable scorers for Pakistan. 

Taskin Ahmed and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza claimed two wickets each for 41 and 50 runs respectively while Mahmudullah Riyad, Rubel Hossan and Shakib Al Hasan took one wicket each for 17, 32 and 45 runs respectively.

Bangladesh will play their 2nd official warm-up match against Ireland on Feb 12 at the same venue.  

Score Summary: 

Pakistan: 247/7, 48.1 overs, Soaib Maqsood 93 not out, Umar Akmal 39, Haris Sohail 39, Taskin 2/41, Mashrafe 2/50

Bangladesh: 246/10, 49.5 overs, Mahmudullah 83, Tamim 81, Shakib 31, Mohammad Irfan 5/52