Imran Nazir and Shoalb Malik arc the two rare characters In an otherwise mediocre Pakistan fielding The electrifying presence of the energetic duo brought a whole lot of change in the mental makeup of a team that was over the years carrying a dubious distinction of being the worst fielding side among the nine Test-playing nations.
It was a refreshing experience for the followers of an extremely talented side with a nimble Nazir and an equally impressive Shoalb unearthing their Innate ability at the Bangabandhu National Stadium much to the surprise of the Sri Lankan batsmen.
An athletic Nazir was so dominant on the field that Sri Lankan batsmen struggled to find the gap square of the wicket He was certainly not Jhonty Rhodes of South Africa, but Nazir by any standard was a Jhonty of Pakistan. His catch at point that dismissed Atap-attu was absolutely brilliant, if not spectacular like Rhodes. ,
While Nazir showed his presence in every part of the ground, off-spinner Shoalb gave the Lankans a testimony of how costly it would be for one who dared to chance his accurate arm. The lanky youngster dislodged the wickets at the batsman's end even before a huffing and puffing Aravinda de Silva could make his presence in the slow-motion frame, let alone making his ground. Shoaib's sharpness came to play again when Russel Arnold risked a sharp single, but ended up fractionally short of his ground
The spectacular demonstrations of the dye also had had a telling impact on others and Pakistan, perhaps for the first time in their history of one-day cricket, effected as many as five run outs.
INDIA MAKE MEET COLOURLESS
India made an early exit from the Pepsi Asia Cup and more importantly they took the gloss of the meet with them The absence of the four times (ham-plons was sorely felt in and around the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
While the ticket touts were cursing their misfortune, cricket fans turned less in numbers at the Stadium despite a Pakistan-Sri Lanka match was going on under perfect condition. The otherwise chock-a-block press box wore a deserted look with majority of reporters apparently loosing their appetite to cover the match from the very first ball of the innings.
India bowed out of the four-nation meet, conceding a 44-run defeat against arch-rivals Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. It was Pakistan’s first win against Srl Lanka after they lost series 3-0 at home few months back.
Lost to Sri Lanka in their four previous meetings in Ihe premium event, Pakistan have also celebrated their 50th victory in their 80th one-day clash with Srl Lanka.
COPS QUIZ RATUL
Ratul Ghosh, a reporter of Calcutta-based 'Dainik Bartoman’. is currently being questioned by the police in tne city for his controversial report on Bangladesh’s match against India, says a report of the UNB.
The Bengali newspaper ran a report In its .June 1 edition under Ihe headline 'India fall to make Bangladesh cross 250-run mark.'
In his report. Ratul staled that the normal course of the match of May 30 was altered. There was evidence of match-fixing and the Indian team as a whole ensured that Bangladesh scored nearly 250 runs. read the report.
Bangladesh Cricket Board formally lodged protest to the newspaper at this untrue, imaginary and motivated report' asked it lo publish an apology with the rejoinder. The request was. however, not complied with, the BCB said
"Given the serious nature of claims of match-fixing and the response of Dainik Bartaman. the BCB reported the matter lo the Motljheel police to investigate the matter extensively and act accordingly.