KARACHI, 25 August 2003 — A twin hundred by debutant Yasir Hameed inspired Pakistan to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh yesterday on the fifth day of the first Test at Karachi’s National Stadium.

The 25-year-old from Peshawar became only the second batsman in Test cricket’s 128-year history to hit two hundreds in his first Test, following West Indian Lawrence Rowe’s 214 and 100 not out against New Zealand at Kingston in 1971-72.

Hameed, who reached 170 in the first innings, batted imperiously to lead Pakistan’s successful chase of a 217-run target and inflict yet another defeat on Bangladesh. With the win, Pakistan also celebrated international cricket’s return to the country where foreign teams’ refusal to play over security fears caused a 15-month cricket drought.

After steering left-armer Mohammad Rafique for two runs, Hameed became the fourth Pakistani to score a century in each innings of a Test match — the 53rd time the feat has been achieved in all Test cricket.

But the promising one-drop batsman missed an armer from Rafique in the next over and was bowled for 105 after 229 minutes at the crease in which he consumed 161 balls with 15 boundaries, leaving Pakistan needing another 47 runs to carry the day.

Inzamam ul-Haq, unbeaten on 35, and Yousuf Youhanna, 15 not out, ran an over throw on the last ball before lunch for the winning run to leave Bangladesh with their 21st defeat in 22 Tests since they gained Test status three years ago.

“With a little bit of careful batting on the third day it could have been a very good Test, but the twist came when Habibul Bashar got out and we lost five quick wickets,” said Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore.

Pakistan resumed yesterday at a commanding position of 112-1 and added another 32 runs before losing opener Mohammad Hafeez to Rafique for a stubborn 50.

A Hameed-Hafeez stand yielded 134 for the second wicket, erasing Pakistan’s best second wicket stand of 87 between Taufeeq Umer and Younis Khan at Chittagong last year.

Hameed continued to dominate the bowling reaching the three-figure mark after 223-minute batting with 14 boundaries. Rafique was the pick of Bangladesh bowlers with two wickets.

Pakistan cricket coach Javed Miandad said Hameed was a new superstar for Pakistan but it was beyond his imagination what he had achieved in his first Test.

A down to earth Hameed said he was happy at recording a the feat. “I am thankful to almighty Allah who blessed me with this record and more importantly I played a lead role in team’s win,” said 25-year-old Hameed.

Warne Flees Australia Ahead of New Scandal

Disgraced cricketer Shane Warne has jetted out of Australia with his family ahead of a new sex scandal involving the crisis-prone leg-spinner. A Melbourne stripper is about to tell all about an affair she claims to have had with 33-year-old Warne, according to the television station that is set to premier her story.

Warne, his wife Simone and their children left Melbourne late Saturday, apparently bound for London.

He left as exotic dancer Angela Gallagher is due to appear on television’s Channel Seven today claiming she began an affair with him in May this year.

The fresh controversy follows South African Helen Cohen Alon’s claims that Warne bombarded her with lewd text messages.

Cohen Alon’s story prompted Gallagher, 38, a mother of two, to come forward with her own allegations, Channel Seven said.