Late order Tigers
Sports Reporter
Alok Kapali showed signs of returning to form but in the end it was another late order show that rescued Bangladesh in their final warm-up match before the Asia Cup against a Sri Lanka A team B. The Tigers squeezed home with two wickets remaining in pursuit of 249 at the Colts ground in Colombo yesterday. The talented Kapali pleased coach Dav Whatmore with a responsible 47. He was aided by a useful 32 from vice-captain Rajin Saleh. However, the run-chase got off to a horrible start for visitors when they lost young Mohammad Ashraful, who hit a century in the opening practice match, which they won by 29 runs, cheaply. Soon after his partner Javed Omar (11) joined him in the pavilion. Test centurions Khaled Mashud and left-hander Mohammad Rafique carried on from where they left off in West Indies scoring 40 not out and 35. But with the six-nation regional meet beginning on July 16, the team's top-order is still not contributing runs when it matters. Captain Habibul Bashar made only 22 while southpaw Faisal Hossain top-scorer with 49 just a few days ago managed just 17 as they reached the required target (251) with six balls to spare. Earlier Michael Vandort hammered 86 and Farnando scored 47 as the combined Lankans posted 248-7 in 50 overs. Khaled Mahmud (2-54), left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique (2-32) and his young fellow Abdur Razzak (2-34) were the chief wicket-takers. Right-arm pacer Mushfiqur Rahman was the most expensive Bangladesh bowler with one for 55. Bangladesh, who have been pitted in Group A, play their first match against lowly Hong Kong on July 16 before facing reigning champions Pakistan the following day. India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) and hosts Sri Lanka make up the other group.
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