Dawn Pakistan's most widely circulated English language newspaper.

Bangladesh score thrilling win

By Our Sports Reporter

23 March 1998


KARACHI, March 24:

The visiting Bangladesh scored a thrilling five-run victory over Pakistan Customs in their final preliminary round Pool 'A' match at the National Stadium here on Monday.

Bangladesh, who had given a target of 280 to their opponents, fielded and bowled magnificently in the final 10 overs of the match to record their second win in the tournament.

The deciding moment of the match was the run out of Azam Khan for a 65-ball 76 (including nine fours and two sixes) by a brilliant piece of fielding by Hasibul Hossain, who threw down the stumps at the bowler's end with a direct hit from the covers in the 40th over.

Customs needed 89 from the last overs with Aamir Bashir and Aamir Iqbal at the crease. But the pair was unable to pierce the field. Pace bowler Hasibul Hossain kept his cool in the last over of the match with Customs requiring 14 to win.

One feature of Bangladesh's well-deserved victory was their disciplined bowling. None of the bowlers wavered away from the line and length theory and conceded only four wides in all. In the end, it made all the difference between winning and losing.

In contrast, Pakistan Customs were generous and gave away as many as 41 extras, including 21 wides and 16 no-ball runs in the first session of play.

Bangladesh were indebted to their burly skipper Mohammad Akram Khan and Naimur Rahman Durjoy for their total of 279 for eight after Haaris Khan had inserted them in.

The tourists were in considerable bother at 68 for four in the 16th over when Naimur joined his captain at the crease. Together they batted solidly to add 144 in 26.5 overs before Akram went for a well-compiled 76 off 93 balls with six hits to the ropes.

Naimur, who survived a couple of close calls, made 73 off 91 balls with four boundaries and a six before he was caught the wicket by Azam Khan, who had donned the wicketkeeping gloves in the 32nd over after Aamir Iqbal was struck on the shoulder by a lifting delivery.

Test leg-spinner Ali Hussain Rizvi could send down just one over as a serious injury to his left-hand, while attempting a catch, has put him away for at least six weeks with hairline fracture.


Source: Dawn
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Date-stamped : 25 Mar1998 - 11:10