CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, 27 January 2005 — Opener Rajin Saleh top-scored with 77 and spinner Manjural Islam Rana took four for 34 as Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 40 runs in the third One-Day International yesterday.

Chasing a target of 245 to win, Zimbabwe started firmly but were all out for 204 in 47.5 overs. Bangladesh, batting first, scored 244 for nine in their 50 overs.

Bangladesh’s seventh victory in 104 One-Day Internationals enabled them to narrow Zimbabwe’s lead to 2-1 in the five-match series. “We won the match which was very important for us. I am hopeful about winning the series, but for that we have to improve a lot in the last two matches,” Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar told reporters.

Barney Rogers top-scored with 51 for Zimbabwe before he was trapped leg before by spinner Khaled Mahmud. Rogers faced 81 balls and hit four fours.

Captain Tatenda Taibu came in at a crucial time with the score 93-4 and temporarily revived Zimbabwe by hitting 46, including two boundaries, before being removed by Mashrafe Mortaza. Mortaza also bowled Douglas Hondo, who scored 10 from 10 balls in a last-ditch effort with Christopher Mpofu (3 not out) for the last wicket.

Man-of-the-Match Rana bagged his first wicket when he had opener Stuart Matsinkenyeri stumped by Khaled Mashud for 16. He also dismissed Hamilton Masakadza (9), Elton Chigumbura (27) and Prosper Utseya (1).

Earlier Saleh, who faced 93 balls and hit six fours and one six in his score of 77, shared in an opening partnership of 58 with Nafis Iqbal, who contributed 24. Saleh was caught by Dion Ebrahim off Chigumbura in the 30th over to leave the home side on 147 for two after cementing their innings.

Brendan Taylor had Zimbabwe’s best bowling figures of two for two for 23, with Utseya (2-33) and Tinashe Panyangara (2-59) also taking two wickets each.

Key Players Snub

Kenya Selection

In Nairobi, key players, including former captain Steve Tikolo, have refused to play for Kenya in ICC Inter-continental Cup matches.

Tikolo, medium pacers Thomas Odoyo and Peter Ongondo, and opening batsman and wicketkeeper Kennedy Obuya had been named in a 31-man squad for a match against Namibia in February and Uganda in March.

“Until we receive further direction from the Minister for Sport, we won’t take up the offer,” Tikolo, speaking on behalf of the rebel players, said at a news conference.

Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) was accused of mismanagement by the government and disbanded two weeks ago, but the cricket governing body went to court and obtained a temporary order to continue managing the sport. KCA chairman Sharad Ghai dismissed the protest.