Disappointing start by Bangladesh

Bangladesh made a disappointing start to their brief tour to Pakistan when they were dismissed for 161 by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) XI on the opening day of the three-day game at the UBL Sports Complex Friday.

When stumps were drawn for the day, the home team had reached 89 for the loss of Imran Nazir who might consider himself a bit unlucky after being adjudged leg before after scoring 29. The ball appeared to have got the inside edge before hitting the well stretched front leg. But Sadiq Mohammad thought it otherwise.

At stumps, left-handed opener Taufiq Umer was playing exceedingly well on 45 while Naved Latif was nine. Taufiq matched Imran stroke for stroke during his 80-ball knock that contains four boundaries. Imran's innings was laced with five sparkling hits to the fence.

Four of the six frontline Bangladesh batsmen made confident starts and looked untroubled against the three-man PCB XI pace attack on a docile track. But somehow, they failed to capitalize from the initial hardwork and surrendered their wickets cheaply.

Aminul Islam, former captain and his country's first centurion, finished as the top scorer with 36 before dragging Shabbir onto his stumps. He faced 118 balls and stayed at the crease for 141 minutes. Another former captain Akram Khan belted four boundaries in his 63- ball 29 before being caught at forward-short-leg off Shabbir Ahmad immediately after lunch.

Opener Javed Omar chipped in with 27 in 92 minutes but should have done it better after being dropped by Imran Nazir in second slips off left-armer Najaf Shah. Skipper Naimur Rehman weighed in with 23 before being caught bat and pad off Shoaib Malik.

The PCB XI pacers bowled their hearts out on an unhelpful pitch. But Shabbir Ahmad and Yasir Arafat were rewarded for keeping a tight line and length after replying on accuracy rather than concentrate on swing bowling.

Shabbir, a six feet five inches tall bowler, struck a double blow in a 8-2-14-2 post lunch session to finish with three for 30 while allrounder Yasir picked up three wickets in 12 balls, including two of successive balls, immediately into the final session to end up with three for 17. Off-spinner Shoaib Malik snatched two for 44. Bangladesh are here for the Asian Test Championship opener against Pakistan to be played at Multan from Aug 29.