FAISALABAD, 13 September 2003 — Yousuf Youhanna hit a sparkling 106 to pave the way for a crushing 74-run victory for Pakistan over Bangladesh in the second One-Day International yesterday. Youhanna’s ninth one-day century lifted Pakistan to a respectable 243 for eight before Bangladesh were bowled out for 169 in 42.1 overs, losing their last seven wickets for just 41 runs at the Iqbal Stadium.
Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-0 after winning the opener in Multan by 137 runs. Rajin Saleh (64) and Habibul Bashar (25) had given Bangladesh a glimmer of hope in their reply with a second-wicket stand of 82 before Umar Gul, Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Malik regained control for Pakistan. Gul and Razzaq picked up two wickets apiece and Malik finished with figures of three for 34 before 19-year-old Junaid Zia, in his second One-Day International, cleaned up the tail with three for 21 in 4.1 overs.
Earlier Pakistan, who won the toss for the second game in a row, were initially kept in check by the Bangladesh bowlers before Youhanna and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, with 41, stamped their authority. Youhanna, the last man out in the final over, barely broke sweat in a 127-ball knock that included seven fours and two sixes, despite the regular fall of wickets around him in front of a noisy capacity crowd.
Bangladesh medium-pacer Mushfiqur Rahman rocked Pakistan in his first over, the innings’ 10th, when he bowled Yasir Hameed for 15 with his second ball.
Two balls later, Mushfiqur had the other opener, Mohammad Hafeez, caught behind by wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud off a wide delivery to leave them struggling at 46 for two. But Youhana and Inzamam than steadied the innings with a third-wicket partnership of 87 in 110 balls.
Both looked to up the rate after Pakistan passed the 100 mark, Inzamam hitting out after a quiet start as he whipped Rahman to square leg and then drove left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique for another four before he was bowled by Rafique in the 29th over.
Youhanna was then unable to cement any partnerships as part-time off-spinner Rajin Saleh picked up Younis Khan and Malik in successive overs before Razzaq also fell cheaply as Pakistan collapsed from 158 for three to 177 for six.
However Youhana combined with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal in a brisk 53-run stand before he was caught in the deep in the final over. The coach of the Pakistan team dominating Bangladesh in the current one-day series has said he is using the matches to prepare for the tougher task ahead against South Africa.
Pakistan took a 2-0 lead over Bangladesh in the one-day series yesterday.
Pace Bowler Sami Back in
Pakistan Team After Injury
Pakistan’s frontline fast bowler Mohammad Sami yesterday rejoined the team after recovering from an ankle injury that has kept him off the field for three Test matches and two one-dayers against Bangladesh. “Sami is fit now and has been included in the 15-man squad for the third one-day match against Bangladesh in Lahore on Monday,” said a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman. The 20-year-old — along with express pacer Shoaib Akhtar — is seen as a replacement to the illustrious pairing of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Wasim, the highest wicket taker in one-day cricket with 504, retired in May while Waqar has been sidelined following Pakistan’s first round exit from the World Cup in March.
Tendulkar’s Cricketing Gear
Helps Raise Funds for Charity
In Bangalore, India, batting star Sachin Tendulkar’s cricket gear fetched $8,326 at a charity auction yesterday to raise funds for the aged and mentally challenged. The organizers raised almost $16,000 in total from the auction of used cricketing gear of Indian batsmen and bowlers.
Tendulkar, whose gear accounted for more than half the sum, holds a double world record in One-Day Internationals, having amassed 12,219 runs with 34 hundreds. He has 31 Test centuries, surpassed only by compatriot Sunil Gavaskar (34) and Australian skipper Steve Waugh (32).
Injuries Force Smith
to Lay Down Bat
South African-born batsman Robin Smith has announced his retirement from first class cricket after 22 years with Hampshire and a successful international career with England. Smith, who played in 62 Tests for England, decided to call it a day on the eve of his 40th birthday after a frustrating season with injuries. He is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem.
“I feel now is the right time to go although I know I shall miss cricket badly,” Smith said. “I find it difficult to get over injuries as quickly as I did and at my age I am not going to get any better.”
