Daily Star crash out

The dream ended before it actually began for The Daily Star's ensemble six-member team. Making its maiden appearance in third edition of the Pepsi Media Cup Cricket Tournament, the Star men crashed out in the first round with a three-wicket loss to Bhorer Kagoj at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

In reply to Daily Star's 65-2 in the allotted six overs, Bhorer Kagoj reached 69-2 with five balls to spare.

Rabeed Imam flexed his muscles as the devastating opener got the leading English newspaper off to a decent start on a matting wicket. He clubbed four fours and two massive sixes before his mandatory retirement on 35. But thereafter the wheels fell off as none of his teammates got going.

Defending a modest total, The Daily Star was let down by Australian-trained Ashfaq Wares Khan and a veteran Towfik Elahi who gave too many runs away to allow Bhorer Kagoj off the hook.

The only solace for the Star faithful was the bowling of rookie 'pacer' Shariful Islam who missed a hattrick by a whisker.

Bipul of Bhorer Kagoj, who hit 32, was adjudged man-of-the-match.

In other matches, Abas News Agency beat Dinkal by two wickets, Channel-i ousted The Bangladesh Observer by four wickets, Naya Diganta knocked out The Independent by 20 runs, New Nation defeated Banglabazar by 54 runs while UNB beat BTV by five wickets.

Earlier, State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman inaugurated the 17-team meet. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Ali Asghar, title sponsor Transcom Beverages Limited's general manager Khurshid Irfan Chowdhury and DMD Golam Morshed were also present.