DHAKA: England cricketer Jos Buttler plays a shot during the warm-up cricket match between BCB XI and England at The Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Dhaka yesterday. — AFP

DHAKA: Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali scored halfcenturies as England began their tour of Bangladesh yesterday with a comfortable fourwicket victory against a strong line-up picked by the host board. Skipper Buttler scored an unbeaten 80 while Ali added a quickfire 70 off 51 balls as England reached 313 for 6 in 46.1 overs, having restricted a Bangladesh Court Board (BCB) XI to 309 for 9 in the 50-over match.

Opener Imrul Kayes scored 121 off 91 balls for the hosts while Bangladesh’s Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who was a late call-up, made 51 to ensure the the BCB XI posted a competitive score at Dhaka’s Fatullah Stadium. The BCB had appeared on course for a much higher total but only managed 49 runs in their last 10 overs as England’s seamers took six wickets. Chris Woakes picked up three wickets for 52 runs while David Willey and Ben Stokes grabbed two apiece.

Openers Jason Roy and James Vince gave England a positive start by putting on 72 for the first wicket but the innings then lost momentum. Ali joined Buttler at the crease after the fifth wicket fell with the score on 170 and the duo gradually regained control and stitched together a 139-run partnership. Ali was dismissed as the scores were level but Buttler, who hit three fours and four sixes in his 64-ball innings, polished off proceedings by striking a boundary off the first ball of the 47th over.

The uncapped Ebadat Hossain was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers, taking 2-26. Brief Scores: BCB XI 309-9 in 50 overs ( Imrul Kayes 121, Mushfiqur Rahim 51, C. Woakes 3-52) and England 313-6 in 46.1 overs ( J. Buttler 80 not out, Moeen Ali 70). Meanwhile, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) wants English players to snub the 2016 Bangladesh Premier League over security fears.

PCA chief executive David Leatherdale believes the absence of any details on security measures to be put in place for the tournament means it would be wise for players to stay at home. Samit Patel, Ravi Bopara, Tymal Mills, Rikki Wessels, Josh Cobb and Richard Gleeson are among the England-qualified players who were in line to join the latest edition of the BPL, which starts in November. Leatherdale has also taken account of current Foreign and Commonwealth Office information. England’s Test and one-day international tour of Bangladesh received the go-ahead only after a fact-finding mission by the national team’s security expert Reg Dickason, accompanied by Leatherdale, concluded it should do so, in the aftermath of July’s deadly terror attack on a Dhaka cafe. Even then, England’s one-day captain Eoin Morgan and opening batsman Alex Hales have opted out of the trip. “It remains unclear whether a similar level of security will be provided for the Bangladesh Premier League, which will involve a number of teams playing at different venues around the country,” Leatherdale said yesterday.

“The political and security landscape in Bangladesh is volatile and needs to be constantly monitored in the lead-up to the event. “The latest advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is that there is a heightened risk of further terrorist attacks against westerners - and visitors to the country should remain vigilant, monitor local and social media and follow any specific advice from local security authorities to avoid certain areas. “In those circumstances the PCA is advising its members not to travel to Bangladesh to play in the BPL. “However, those who do decide to travel as individuals do so at their own risk - and, as in previous years, will be required to sign a disclaimer to that effect before they receive a No Objection Certificate from the England and Wales Cricket Board.” — AFP