The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh made a disasterous start in the Kitply Cup Tri-Nation ODI tournament when the Tigers tasted massive 70-run defeat by Pakistan Cricket team in their opening One Day International match at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Needing 234 runs to win, Bangladesh were restricted to 163 for 8 off 40 overs.

Pakistani bowlers totally dominated over Bangladesh batsmen and the Tigers threw their wickets hopelessly.

Skipper Mohammad Ashraful hit a captain's knock of 56 off 93 balls.

Besides, Tamin Iqbal scored 29 playing 38 balls.

Shahid Afridi grabbed three wickets giving away 19 runs while Wahab Riaz harpooned three wickets for 22 runs.

Umar Gul took two wickets at the cost of 28 runs.

Earlier, Abdur Razzak and Alok Kapali bowled well and helped the hosts to bundle out Pakistan for 233 off 39.3 overs.

Abdur Razzak removed Shoib Malik for I and dismissed Sohail Tanvir for just 2. Razzak trapped lbw Wahab Riaz for a duck. Abdur Razzak finished as 7.3-0-35-3.

Alok Kapali showed a glorious comeback as he plucked three valuable wickets of Pakistan.

Salman Batt, the opener of Pakistan hit a superb 70 facing 84 balls. He sent the ball 10 times through the ropes before he was caught at long on by Rafiqul Hasan off Alok Kapali.

Alter Alok Kapali dismissed Mohammad Yousuf, who was caught at cover by Abdur Razzak. Yousuf made 59 off 56 balls including seven strokes through the ropes when Pakistan's total was 180 for the loss off five wickets in 30.5 overs.

Kapali also removed Shahid Afridi for 20 off 17 balls.

Alok Kapali completed as 8-0-49-3.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the country's best medium pacer' was the other bowler who shone with the cherry. Mashrafe bagged a couple of wickets for 36 runs.

It may be mentioned that the game started at 5.10 PM instead of 3.00 PM due to wet weather. The match was fixed as 40-overs a-side due to inclement weather.