JAIPUR, India, 14 October 2006 — Opener Shahriar Nafees stroked 123 not out, the highest one-day score by a Bangladesh batsman, to guide his team to a 101-run victory over Zimbabwe in an inconsequential Champions Trophy qualifier yesterday. Both teams were out of contention for a place in the main round after defeats to holders West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Nafees, 20, anchored his team to 231 for six from 50 overs before the spinners took over, skittling Zimbabwe for 130 in 44.4 overs for a consolation win. Left-arm spinner Saqibul Hasan took three for 18. The score was officially amended from 232 after a short run.
Left-hander Nafees hit 17 fours and a six, becoming the first Bangladesh player to score two one-day hundreds. Opener Brendan Taylor topscored with 52 for Zimbabwe.
India, England Kick Off
Champions Trophy
Champions Trophy hosts India will kick start three weeks of intense action among the world’s top eight teams with the opening main round match against 2004 finalists England in Jaipur tomorrow.
The teams face off in the first fixture in Group A, which also includes England’s Ashes rivals Australia, who are thirsting to win the one title that has eluded them since the biennial event began in 1998.
Prior to the main tournament, defending champions West Indies and Sri Lanka advanced from a four-team qualifying league by virtue of wins over minnows Bangladesh and Zimbabwe this week. The two meet today to decide which nation tops the group and joins former winners South Africa and New Zealand in Group B along with Pakistan. The loser of the match will go into Group A.
England skipper Andrew Flintoff returns after ankle surgery with one eye on the Ashes series starting in Australia on Nov. 23 and hoping to atone for a 5-1 one-day series rout in India in April. The inspirational all rounder may only bat after announcing he would not bowl in the early stages of the event to avoid breaking down.
