& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Relieved but not resting

Bishwajit Roy
It was not a victory to celebrate. It rather came as a relief for Bangladesh when they handed a six-
wicket defeat to Zimbabwe in the second game to square the three-match series 1-1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpuryesterday.
Anything other than a victory would not only have awarded the series to Zimbabwe but also deepened the crisis for Mohammad Ashraful's men. who suffered two consecutive defeats against the bottomranked side to frustrate the cricket fans in the country.
The ligers attack led by brave-heart Mashrafe Bin Mortaza continued their inspiring show to restrict Zimbabwe for 160-9, thanks to Nazmul Hossain who initiated the initial damage to pick up three wickets for 28.
But the refreshing fact was that the top order did not crumble like the previous encounters and carved a comfortable victory with Rokibul Hasan (52 not out) and Mehrab Hossain (43) batting sensibly.
There was a good chance for Ashraful to calm his critics but the right-hander once again failed to take the opportunity while chasing a moderate target as the Bangladesh skipper was dismissed for five. The much-needed victory, however, gave the under
pressure batsman some space to breath.
"It was an important match for us and 1 am just feeling good. It could have been more convincing but we won the match and are now looking forward to the last game," said Ashraful when asked whether itwasarelieforjoy.
When asked to comment on an obvious question why Bangladesh tend to win when they absolutely have to or when their backs are against the wall, as it was seen in the tri-nation series, Ashraful said that every player tries to give their best in every match. "There is no doubt about that," he added.
"1 think that my decision to bat first in the first match was a wrong one and we also batted badly in that match," he explained adding that the wicket was better than the one used on Monday where they suffered a two-wicket defeat after being bundled out for 124.
"We all looked at the wicket first and then decided that if we win the toss we would field first The wicket was also better than Monday and I think even if we batted first on this wicket it wouldn't have been a problem. Our batters and fielders were also good today," he disclosed their yes terday's plan.
The question-was also raised about why they repeatedly failed to maintain the early momentum and let Zimbabwe off the
SEE PAGE 18 COL 5
FROM PAGE 17
hook from 47 "or six.
"Yes, even though they had a 96-run stand, it was a slow partnership. We did not give runs freely. Nayeem bowled well so did Shakib during that partnership. Runs came slow but we could not pick wickets because they did not play any lofty shots, they just stuck to the basics and took singles or doubles."
He was not only excited with the fact that his strike bowler Mashrafe bowled in the last stage but also sounded hopeful that the new think-tank will help their performance.
"We do have a group of five, which sits and analyzes games and performances and also plans for the future. I think it was a positive step we have taken and I am sure it will yield positive results in the future," he said.
The Bangladesh skipper was also hopeful about winning the series.
"If we play our best cricket we will definitely win the series," said Ashraful adding that he is getting a lot of support from all corners as a captain.
Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya was also optimistic about his team's chances to win the series.
"It was not a good score on this wicket. Every team who have been put to bat first in these wickets have struggled to put up a good score and also build up partnerships. Also in order to defend 160 we needed to get wickets regularly which we failed to do," said Utseya.
"Of course we need to pull up our socks and try our best for the game on Friday. It is a final for the both of us and we would definitely try to win it," hehoped.
SCOREBOARD
Scoreboard of the second one-day international between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday: ZIMBABWE SibandalbwbNazmul 7
Masakadzac Rubel bNazmul 17
Matsikenyerirunout 10
TaibucMehrabb Rubel 3
Williams run out 59
Chi gumbura bNazmul 1
Waller b Rubel 1
Utseya lbw b Mashrafe 38
Price b Mashrafe Mupariwanotout 1
Extras: (lb-6, w-8, nb-2) 16
Total: (For 9 wkts in 50 overs) 160
Did not bat: Rainsford.
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-29, 3-37, 4-45, 5-46, 6-47, 7-143, 8-159,9-160.
Bowler O M R W
Mashrafe 10 1 22 2
Nazmul 10 1 28 3
Rubel 8 2 29 2
Shakib 10 3 24 0
Nayem 9 0 39 0
Mahmudullah 3 0 12 0
BANGLADESH
Tamim b Mupariwa 21
Mehrabc Utseya bPrice 43
Ashraful c Utseya b Rainsford 5
Rokibul notout 52
Shakib cTaibub Utseya 22
Mushfiqurnotout 13
Extras: (b-5, w-3) 8
Total: (For four wkts in 44.5 overs) 164
Did not bat: Mahmudullah, Nayem, Mashrafe, Nazmul, Rubel.
Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-42, 3-94,4-135.
Bowler O M R W
Rainsford 9 0 33 1
Utseya 10 1 24 1
Mupariwa 8.5 1 35 1
Chigumbura 6 0 35 0
Price 10 0 20 1
Williams 1 0 12 0
Result: Bangladesh won by six wickets.
Man-of-the-match: Rokibul Hasan.
Toss: Bangladesh
Umpires: Enamul Haque (BAN) and Zameer Haider (PAK)
Match Referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)