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Mashud stands tall for Bangladesh

Wednesday, June 2 2004

A brave and determined hundred from Khaled Mashud ensured just the third draw for Bangladesh in their Test cricket career today.

Resuming in big trouble at 94/6, Mashud and Rajin Saleh added a further 29 runs before the seventh wicket was taken. Saleh reached his second Test fifty and was out to Edwards for 51. The lead at this stage read 187 runs and the West Indies still in control.

Thoughts of victory were slowly removed, however, as Mashud and Rafique took their time in squeezing 56 runs from 147 balls. Sarwan then struck with his fourth victim, having Rafique juggled and caught behind for 29. He ended with a career-best 4/37 and match figures of 7/96.

Mashud reached fifty from 157 balls and found a steady partner in Tapash Baisya as the frustration continued for the home side. Playing cooly and straight, Baisya managed 26 runs from 112 balls and helped Mashud in advancing the game beyond the reach of the West Indies, the score at 253/9 when he was caught and bowled by Gayle.

As the consideration of a declaration lingered, Mashud dispatched Lawson for a boundary square of the wicket, then inside edged him for another boundary to fine leg. The hundred came with a cover drive for his 13th four in a thrilling moment for the former Bangladesh captain. Indeed, it was his maiden Test hundred and definitely his finest innings to date.

The declaration followed immediately, leaving a 23-over net session for Chris Gayle (66 not out from 72 balls) and Devon Smith (40 not out from 69 balls). The left-handers were totally unperterbed and clinically played away the Bangladeshi seamers on the flat Beausejour pitch to reach 113/0 when time ran out.

For Bangladesh this first Test proved historic. It was the first time they scored three centuries in a game and included their highest team score as well as their first ever declaration. Habibul Bashar, Mohammed Rafique, Tapash Baisya and Khaled Mashud achieved their highest Test scores and Rafique and Mashud registered maiden centuries.

The teams now head to Jamaica where they will play the second and deciding Test, starting on Friday.

Match Summary:

Bangladesh 1st innings 416 ao (135.3 overs)
(Habibul Bashar 113, Mohammad Rafique 111, Mohammad Ashraful 81)
(PT Collins 4/83, RR Sarwan 3/59, JJC Lawson 2/66)

West Indies innings 352 ao (116.4 overs)
(CH Gayle 141, BC Lara 53, RD Jacobs 46 not out)
(Mushfiqur Rahman 4/67, Mohammad Rafique 3/90)

Bangladesh 2nd innings 94/6 (105.2 overs)
(Khaled Mashud 103 not out, Rajin Saleh 51)
(RR Sarwan 4/37, FH Edwards 2/61)

West Indies 2nd innings 113/0 (23 overs)
(CH Gayle 66 not out, DS Smith 40 not out)

Result: Match Drawn
Series: 0-0 (2 Tests)
Man of the Match: CH Gayle (WI)

Posted by Liam