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Bangladesh's best Test

Sunday, August 24 2003

If ever Bangladesh played well in a Test Match, this was the one. They completely dominated their opponents on Day 3 and then just let it slip after a fine start on Day 4. Pakistan needs 105 more runs to win in there second innings on the fifth day with nine wickets in hand.

Habibul Bashar led the Bangladeshis on Day 3 but it was Mashrafe who took the initiative at the first hour’s play on Day 3. Pakistan only scored 8 runs and lost a wicket and that started the slide for the hosts. They were eventually bowled out for 346, taking a lead of 58 runs.

Bangladesh began brightly but Javed Omar shouldered arms to a Shoaib Akhter thunderbolt and was adjudged LBW. Hannan Sarkar was playing well but he played one too many shots and was out sweeping off Hafeez’s off spin. On Day 4, Habibul Bashar completed his second Test hundred and was swiftly dismissed on 108. He played a superb innings and marked a great Test match for the vice-captain. Newcomer Rajin Saleh ably supported him. Their fourth wicket partnership of 111 ended when Habibul tried to swing Kaneria out of the park and holed out to Gul at mid off.

The run rate dropped miserably after the dismissal and after Lunch, Shabbir claimed the wickets of Saleh, out for 60 and skipper Mahmud off successive balls. They were eventually dismissed for 274, taking a lead of 216 runs.

Pakistan only lost Taufeeq Umer and the young debutantes Hafeez and Hameed saw off the day in style.



Posted by Isam