 Ashraful century guides Bangladesh to victory
25th Jun 2008 09:00 IST
Agencies
Captain Mohammad Ashraful led from the front, hitting a superb century that was instrumental in Bangladesh beating the United Arab Emirates by 96 runs in their Asia Cup encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore Tuesday night.
Ashraful’s smashed 109 runs and was well supported by Raqibul Hasan, who scored a breezy 63-ball 83, with the help of nine boundaries as Bangladesh scored 300/8.
Electing to bat, Bangladesh did not have an ideal start as opener Nazimuddin (2) fell prey to pacer Zahid Shah in the third over itself and their scoreboard read 12 for loss of one wicket but Ashraful came to the crease and began fireworks making the UAE bowlers run all around the park.
Ashraful and another opener Tamim Iqbal, who contributed a worthy 40, together added 105 runs to steer the team to a safe zone but the partnership was broken when Iqbal was run out by wicketkeeper Amjad Ali in the 24th over.
Hasan, the next batsman in, matched the tempo set by his captain and got to the business from the word go. He stitched 141-run together with Ashraful before being caught behind by Amjad Ali off a Shah delivery.
Following Hasan's departure in 44th over, Ashraful appeared to be in the hurry to score which cost him as he also returned to pavilion in the space of couple of more balls.
The captain's fall shook the confidence of subsequent batting line up as seniors like Alok Kapali (1), Mashrafe Mortaza (3) and Mushfiqur Rahim (16) also followed him. Last batsman Dollar Mahmud, however, scored a courageous 20 under pressure which came with the help of a six and a boundary off just 9 balls.
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