Date-stamped : 27 Dec94 - 10:29
SAARC : Bangladesh v India "A"
played at National Stadium, Dhaka, 25 December 1994

Bangladesh score landmark one-run victory over India

Underdogs Bangladesh recorded a  surprise  one-run  victory  over
favourites  India  in  an  exciting  encounter in the four-nation
SAARC cricket tournament here Monday.

The Indians, who  had  easily  won  their  previous  two  matches
against  Sri Lanka and Pakistan, were apparently stunned by their
defeat at the hands of Bangladesh who have yet to join the league
of  the  test playing nations. For Bangladesh it was their second
victory, having earlier beaten Sri Lanka.

A record 50,000 spectators lustily cheered the home side  as  the
last  Indian wicket of Rajesh Chauhan fell with the total at 171,
one run short of the Bangladesh total and one ball to spare.

Winning the toss, Indian skipper Pravin Amre  put  Bangladesh  to
bat  to  take  advantage  of  a  wicket  which  was favouring the
bowlers. But a punchy 64 from Aminul Islam of Bangladesh laid the
foundation of the home side's landmark victory.

Islam fell to Venkatesh Prasad's menacing  pace  attack  but  his
solid defence of the wicket and flamboyant scoring earned him the
Man of the Match title.

The Indians started on a confident note, chasing a total  of  172
runs  with  opening  pair  Vikram  Rathore  and J. Arunkumar, but
disaster struck early when Arunkumar was caught leg before wicket
of  a medium pace delivery from Anisur Rahman who took three cru-
cial Indian wickets.

The Indian batsmen then settled down with Rathore striking 35 and
Rahul Dravid another 33 and the game under their control. But the
Bangladeshi bowlers sprang surprises after  all-rounder  Prashant
Vaidya  was  run out at 22 trying to take a quick single with the
total at 150 for seven wickets and six overs to go.

Utpal Chatterjee, another Indian all-rounder, held the fort  till
the  end  but  the other tailenders fell like bowling pins as the
Bangladeshi fielders kept the pressure on.

Earlier Bangladesh, helped by splendid  batting  by  the  middlle
order stroke players Aminul Islam and Enamul Huq, hit up 172 runs
for eight wickets in the limited 50 overs.

Islam and Huq not only added 56 crucial runs to the scoreboard in
a sixth wicket stand to take Bangladesh out of the woods but also
displayed some quick running between the wickets in the last  ten
overs of the match.
 
The Indian fielders were under tremendous pressure and their mis-
fielding and overthrows added to the tally.

Islam, who came  at  the  crease  after  the  opening  pair  were
dismissed for 33, was the most aggressive Bangladeshi batsman. He
departed after having made 64 with four  boundaries  playing  120
balls and ensuring that his side put up a challenging total.

For India Prasad was the most successful and  economical  bowler,
claiming  three  wickets for 25 runs while Prashant Vaidya bagged
an equal number but at the  cost  of  35  runs.  Neither  of  the
spinners,  Rajesh  Chauhan  and Utpal Chatterjee, had any success
but gave away 73 runs.

(Thanks : Deutsche Presse-Agentur)
<END> Contributed by Vicky (vigneswa@risky.ecs.umass.edu)