Hameed ton takes Pak to easy win

Bangladesh v Pakistan
Asia Cup (3rd Match) - Group A
SSC, Colombo
July 17, 2004

A classy century by Yasir Hameed and a mean bowling spell by Shoaib Akhtar led Pakistan to an easy win over Bangladesh by 76 runs in the third match of the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

Having won the toss, and batting first, Pakistan got off to a near perfect start, unlike their neighbours India, who yesterday began miserably in their first ten overs against United Arab Emirates. While Imran Farhat protected one end, Hameed was his usual extravagant self at the other, resultantly helping the defending champions progress at a brisk pace.

After a fall of couple wickets, those of Farhat, and Shoaib Malik, who was promoted up the order to get a decent bat in, Inzamam took charge, and played some huge shots, including two sixes off the usually economical left-arm Bangladesh spinner Mohammed Rafique. He put together a century partnership along with Hameed, who survived what was an easy catch, dropped by Mohammed Ashraful, when the centurion was on 61.

Pakistan did suffer some jitters, after both the batsmen were dismissed off succesive deliveries, Inzamam stumped off Abdur Razzaq for 59, and Hameed caught at deep mid-wicket off Khaled Mahmud for 102, once again ending up giving up another opportunity of a big score.

A late dash from Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan helped them get to 257 at the end of 50 overs, scoring at over eight an over for the last 6-7 overs.

Bangladesh, faced with a daunting total, one they have never successfully chased before, but on the back of an impressive performance against Hong Kong, got off to a good start, with last match's hero, Javed Omar once again putting a huge price tag on his wicket. Mohammed Sami provided the first break through just before the minnows were nearing a half century score, and followed it up with another scalp.

After Omar's eventual dismissal for 63, Bangladesh's hope of a possible upset were reduced to next to nothing. Alok Kapali made a useful 28, at an acceptable pace, but with wickets falling regularly at the other end, the asking rate started to get out of reach.

Shoaib Akhtar's second spell provided the finishing touches for Pakistan, as he picked up three wickets in six overs, exposing the Bangladesh lower order. He removed Mushfiqur Rahman, Khaled Mashud and Mahmud, to finish with 30-3 in his 10 overs.

Man of the Match Hameed fittingly performed the final act in the match, finishing the proceedings with a smart catch to dismiss Rafique off Malik.

Match Summary:

Toss Pakistan
Pakistan 257 for 6 (50 overs)
Yasir Hameed 102(123), Inzamam-ul-Haq 59(66), Abdur Razzaq 37-2(10)
Bangladesh 181 all out (45.2 overs)
Javed Omar 62(87), Shoaib Akhtar 30-3(10), Mohammed Sami 30-2(8)
Man of the Match Yasir Hameed
Result Pakistan won by 76 runs
Points Pakistan 6, Bangladesh 0

Posted by Sudeep