MULTAN, Pakistan, 10 September 2003 — Yasir Hameed hit a sparkling maiden century to help Pakistan crush Bangladesh by 137 runs in the first one-dayer at Multan cricket stadium here yesterday. Hameed made 116 and Younis Khan a quickfire 59 off just 31 balls to guide Pakistan to a mammoth 323-3 in their 50 overs, and then bowl out the tourists for 186 in 43.2 overs.
Bangladesh No. 8 Mushfiqur Rehman topscored for his side with an unbeaten 36.
The 25-year-old Hameed, who dazzled in his Test debut against Bangladesh in August with a twin century, punished the hapless tourists’ bowling with a 132-ball 116, spiced with 14 boundaries and two sixes. His contribution helped Pakistan post 323-3 in 50 overs.
Hameed enthralled a crowd of 25,000 who filled Multan’s stadium to capacity for the first one-day match in cricket-mad Pakistan in 17 months. Hameed, promoted to open the innings, put on a brisk 62 for the first wicket inside 10 overs after Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
Mohammed Hafeez was the first to go, for 27, when he failed to make his ground in a scramble, but Yousuf Youhana kept the scoring momentum intact during his 66-ball 49 with four boundaries and a six. Youhana too was run out when he was sent back by Hameed from an attempted single and failed to beat a Mashrafe Murtaza throw. The pair added 120 off 135 balls for the second wicket.
Hameed, whose previous best of 28 came against England at the Oval three months ago, reached his century off 122 balls with a dozen boundaries and a six. He hit Alok Kapali for two boundaries and a six in the 39th over but was caught at extra cover by Rajin Saleh off the last ball.
Inzamam-ul Haq, who replaced the banned Rashid Latif as captain, and Younis completed the run riot, adding 105 runs in the last 10 overs. At 43 Inzamam became the fifth batsman to score 9,000 or more one-day runs, behind Indians Sachin Tendulkar (12,219 in 314 matches) and Mohammad Azharuddin (9,378 in 334), and Sri Lankans Sanath Jayasuriya (9,284 in 308) and Aravinda de Silva (9,126 in 307).
Inzamam achieved the feat in his 291st match. He also became the highest half-century maker in all one-day cricket with 65, beating De Silva’s 64. Pakistan also registered their highest one-day score against Bangladesh beating their 320-3 in Dhaka in the Asia Cup 2000.
The tourists lost wickets at regular intervals and only Alok Kapali with 26 and Saleh (25) offered any resistance as allrounder Abdul Razzaq ripped through with figures of 3-32. Off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez chipped in with 3-17. Bangladesh lost opener Mohammad Ashraful on the fifth ball of their innings and their most successful batsman Habibul Bashar fell run out for six.
Mushfiqur and last man Mohammad Rafqiue, who made 19, provided the best stand of the innings with 46 - a new one-day record for the 10th wicket for Bangladesh beating the previous best of 29 between Mashrafe Murtaza and Mohammad Sharif against Zimbabwe in Dhaka two years ago.
Junaid Zia, the son of Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia and whose controversial selection was criticized in Pakistani media, finished with 0-35 in seven overs.
Haroon Rallies
Behind Latif
Pakistan cricket manager Haroon Rasheed yesterday rallied behind banned captain Rashid Latif insisting the disgraced skipper was not a cheat. Latif was banned for five one-day international matches on Sunday by International Cricket Council (ICC) referee Mike Procter of South Africa after Bangladesh lodged a complaint on a controversial catch during the third Test.
“Latif did not cheat and had he known the catch was not completed he would surely have called the batsman back,” he said. “We have in mind that Latif is honest and his previous record proves that he never indulged in any unfair play,” said Rasheed. “I am amazed that after a decision by the match referee why the issue is discussed in public,” questioned Rasheed
England Want
More of Fletcher
England cricket bosses will hold talks with coach Duncan Fletcher about extending his current contract before he sets off on the tour of Bangladesh next month. England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) chief executive Tim Lamb said yesterday he is planning a meeting with Fletcher as soon as possible to get him to extend his deal beyond September 2004.
“He hasn’t given us any indication in the past that he is not willing to continue but we need to speak to him to determine what he wants,” said Lamb. “We would like to sort this out before the start of England’s tour.
“But if not I will be in Dhaka for the first Test against Bangladesh if we need to dot the i’s or cross the t’s on anything.” There had been increased speculation that after four years in charge, Fletcher would have been ready to return to coach at domestic level.
