B’desh cricketers make history

Leslie Fernando reporting from Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangladeshis young cricketers made a piece of history on Monday night at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur by winning the inaugural edition of the discipline in the 11th South Asian Games.

Mohammed Mithun’s boys recorded a six-run victory in a mail biting gold medal match to put Bangladesh’s name in the Games history book on top as this is the first time that cricket the Twenty20 version has been included in the regions biggest sporting extravaganza.

Everyone of the 20,000 spectators at the venue was on toes with Sri Lanka requiring 20 runs from last two overs chasing 158 for the gold. And they irrupted once Nasir Hossain took a stunning running catch at widish long on to put and end to the visitors brave chase which confirmed that the hosts national anthem would be played for the cricketers achievement.

It’s a proud moment for all the cricketers of the country. It’s something special as Bangladesh clinched the crickets first ever gold. “We had a target of winning the gold and in the end our dream came true” said Bangladesh under-21 skipper Mithur who led from the front with a 21-ball 37 that contained five boundaries and a six.

Bangladesh posted a fighting total of 157 for 6 after deciding to bat thanks to Mithum and opener Anzmar Haque who hit team’s highest 43 off 38 deliveries that saw four boundaries.

In reply Sri Lanka made a poor start losing their first wicket in the very first over but Sachith Pathirana (36) Captain Ashan Priyanjan (25) and Lahiru Thirimanne (39) almost silenced the crowd by playing sensibly with scoring over eight runs per over. But Sri Lanka lost composure after losing three wickets within seven runs.

Leg spinner Sabbia Rahzman Ali Butt killed the Lankan’s hope by taking two wickets in an over and the young spinner also kept his cool in the final over when Sri Lanka needed 14 runs. He was the best Bangladeshi bowler with four for 31 on the day.

Nasir took two wickets for 30 runs while Shavashish Roy was also impressive as he conceded only six runs in the penultimate over. He also took one wicket to keep Bangladesh on course.