FATULLAH: Twenty-three-year-old Sabbir Rahman made sure Azhar Ali's first outing as the captain was an unforgettable one as Bangladesh Cricket Board XI defeated Pakistan by one-wicket in the tour match on Wednesday.

Batting first, Pakistan failed to capitalise on a solid opening stand to score 268/9 in their allotted 50 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez, making a comeback to the side, was the top scorer with 85 and found good support in Fawad Alam (67 not out).

The rest of the batting order failed to banish their World Cup blues and did not make any significant contributions.

Newly-appointed ODI captain Azhar Ali scored 27 off 49 balls with Haris Sohail making 23.

In response, the BCB XI stumbled in the opening stages of the chase before being rescued by the promising right-handed batsman Sabbir Rahman whose 99-ball 123 took the home side across the finishing line despite Pakistan fielding a full-strength bowling attack which included Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal and Wahab Riaz.

Sabbir found great support at the other end from Litton Das (22), Imrul Kayes (36) and Sohag Gazi (36) as BCB XI achieved the target in 48.5 overs.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 268/9 (50 ov) Mohammad Hafeez 85, Fawad Alam 67*; Shuvagata Hom 7-39-3
BCB XI 270/9 (48.5 ov) Sabbir Rahman 123; Junaid Khan 9.5-38-4