Bevan's brilliance not enough in Bangladesh

Despite a stunning 185-run knock by Michael Bevan, the Rest of the World XI conceded a one-run defeat to mighty Asia XI in a thrilling limited-over match at the flood-lit Bangabandhu National Stadium Saturday.

Southpaw batsman Bevan, who is famed for his top class finishing ability in one-dayer, lifted the match to an exciting position making a 119-run partnership in the eight-wicket stand with Andrew Caddick.

The match was dragged to a nerve breaking moment when Rest of the Eleven needed six runs from the last delivery of the innings but they completed their fifty overs making 319 runs for eight wickets in chasing the 320 runs scored by Asia.

In the last over of their innings, Rest of the Eleven needed 20 runs which was made almost possible when Bevan hit three consecutive boundaries off Pakistani pacer Abdur Razzaq.

Bevan hammered an undefeated 185 runs facing only 132 deliveries that featured 19 boundaries and five huge sixes while Caddick added 23 runs off 32 balls before falling victim of a run out.

Bevan was adjudged best batsman of the match and most valuable player and also man of the match.

Earlier, Rest of the World Eleven lost their wickets at regular intervals.

Zimbabwean hard-hitting batsman Neil Johnson was the first victim scoring only 2 runs off 12 balls at 28 runs while Rest of the Eleven lost another wicket in quick succession when captain Mark Waugh returned to the pavilion making run a ball 28.

South African all rounder Jacques Kallis added 27 runs off 31 balls with four hits to the fence before being trapped leg before wicket.

Abdur Razzaq and Muralitharan claimed two wickets each while Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas and Anil Kumble took one wicket each.

Asia Eleven clinched the trophy winning the clash, first its kind in the 200-year cricket history.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) arranged the match to round off the ICC Cricket Week being celebrated for the first time to give a further boost to cricketing, already the country's most favourite game.

Indian master batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly guided Asia Eleven to make the challenging total against the Rest of the World Eleven in the day-night battle.

Asia Eleven scored a towering 320 for nine wickets in 50 overs riding on a 114-run second wicket partnership between the two Indian maestros after its captain Pakistani ace cricketer Wasim Akram decided to bat first at the jam-packed stadium.

Sachin Tendular made a blazing 80 runs off 77 balls belting eleven boundaries while Indian skipper Ganguly, who replaced Saeed Anwar in the squad, scored 67 runs off 66 balls in an innings that featured six fours and three big sixes.

Both the batsmen returned to the pavilion offering catches to Franklyn Rose at long-on off English left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell, who was the most expensive bowler in the innings giving away 68 runs in 9 overs.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar opened the Asian Eleven innings but their association lived for a short time as Sri Lankan captain returned to the pavilion making only 12 runs with the scoreboard reading 49 runs in 7.3 overs.

South African speed star Nantie Hayward made the first breakthrough for the Rest of the World Eleven as left-handed dashing batsman Jayasuriya was caught at square-leg by Michael Bevan.

Former Indian captain Tendulkar opened his account hitting a boundary against Andrew Caddick in the second ball of the innings in the cover area and the best batsman of the world entertained the huge crowd dominating the opposition fast bowlers.

The right-handed opener, who is the top ton-maker in the history of one-day cricket, reached his fifty facing 48 deliveries that included nine hits across the rope.

Sachin was dropped at 70 runs when Tufnell failed to grip the return catch and in the very next ball Tufnell also dropped Saurav Ganguly when he was on 41 runs.

Saurav gave another chance when he was on 11 runs. Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist failed to hold the ball in his gloves off a Rose delivery.

The innings' three sixes came from Saurav's willow and on all the occasions Tufnell was the victim. Maharaja hit his first six with style over the mid-wicket and second one over the long-on and last one over the long-off.

Pakistani captain Moin Khan, who batted at number seven, played another vital knock of 34 runs off 31 balls that featured six boundaries and he added valuable 23 runs with Anil Kumble, who made an unbeaten 14 runs off 8 balls.