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Bangladesh face Lanka tomorrow: Big win for Pakistan

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February 22, 2001 

(The New Nation)--Local boys showed a lackluster performance in every department to suffer a 77-run defeat against Pakistan in the last group-B match of the Under-17 Asia Cup Cricket Tournament at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday, reports UNB.

The defeat paved the way for Bangladesh to face the arch-rivals Pakistan and India in the semifinal on Thursday at the BKSP as Sri Lanka emerged as group-A top-slot beating India by 61 runs in the day's another match at BKSP.

Bangladesh placed second after the day's defeat in the group-B and meet with defending champions Sri Lanka on Thursday in the semifinal.

BTV will telecast live the match from the Bangabandhu National Stadium while Bangladesh Betar air the running commentary.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Nafis Iqbal put the opposition to bat first, but his opening pace duo was bowling erratically to prove his decision wrong. Talha Zubari particularly failed to find his line and length.

Captain Salman Butt and Khaled latif added 45 runs in the opening stand just playing 5.1 overs before promising pacer Mohammed Sharif bowled Latif (12) in his first ball.

Right-arm Bangladeshi pacer Sharif also did a good job picking up another three wickets in quick succession, but number seven batsman Suleman Qadir changed the scenario for Pakistan.

Suleman Qadir, the son of Pakistani great leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, hit 74 runs which helped his team make a challenging total of 234 runs for 8 wickets in stipulated 45 overs.

Suleman belted five boundaries and four over boundaries facing 82 balls and later he was adjudged man of the match.

Sharif finished his allotted nine overs picking up four wickets for 39 runs while Shafiul Alam captured three wicket for 43 runs.

Chasing the fighting total, Bangladesh, who lost against the same opponents in the first version of the tournament in Pakistan by one wicket, were all out for 157 runs in 41.5 overs.

Bangladeshi top order batsmen looked very shaky against Pakistani young speed star Najaf Shah as the left-hand pacer broken the host spine dismissing three frontline willow holders.

Skipper Nafis Iqbal was his first victim trapping leg before wicket while one down Shafiul Alam hurriedly followed his captain bowled by lanky pacer Najaf.

But the home side hope was shattered when promising opener Mohammed Ashraful, who played superb shots against another Pakistani pacer Nadeem Javed, returned to the pavilion being bowled out by Najaf playing a irresponsible shot.

Ashraful made 25 off 28 deliveries while Zahurul Islam added team second highest 23 off 47 balls.

Najaf captured three wickets conceding 29 runs while spinner Azam Hossain claimed three for 23 runs in nine overs. Azhar Ali took two wickets for 22 runs.

Away at BKSP, a 77-run knock by GT de Silva guided defending champions Sri Lanka to earn a comfortable 61-run victory over India to snatch the group-A top slot.

Sent into bat first, Sri Lanka secored a dependable score of 244 runs for five wickets in fixed 45 overs. Number four batsman de Silva contributed an unbeaten 77 runs off 80 balls that featured four boundaries and two over boundaries.

Opener WU Tharanga was the other notable scorer for Islanders making 47 off 69 balls with six fours and a six.

In reply, India were all out for 183 runs with two overs to spare. Number five batsman M Mishra made 54 runs off 65 balls with four boundaries.

Gunawardana claimed three wickets for 27 runs while Ratnakaye and Nishanta took two wickets each.