Gambhir ton takes India to easy win
Friday, 13 June 2008
A fifth ODI century for Gautam Gambhir and another quickfire fifty from Virender Sehwag extended India's domination in the Kitply Cup, as they thumped Bangladesh by seven wickets and 14.5 overs to spare in Mirpur.
Bangladesh needed to win by a bonus point to book their place in the final, but they always going to fall short of a fighting total after a miserly opening burst from Praveen Kumar. Raqibul Hasan's 89 would have given the most die-hard of supporters a glimmer of hope during the break between innings; however, once Sehwag and Gambhir found their rhythm, an India-Pakistan clash for Saturday's final was never in doubt, according to website cricinfo.
Bangladesh's thin hopes of making it to the final quickly diminished as Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir helped themselves to fifties in chase of a modest target. Raqibul Hasan's 89 had propped Bangladesh to 222, but their chances of restricting India to 177 or less - to earn the vital bonus point - were all but over after India's openers raced away to 85 for 1 in ten overs.
Sehwag had a few chances early in his innings. A close lbw shout from Mashrafe Mortaza was turned down, and a leading edge off Farhad Reza nearly landed in the hands of extra cover - a comedy of errors, though, helped him get five for it. Sehwag took the attack to Reza in the sixth over, smacking one over midwicket for a boundary and then one through point.
A hardworking 89 from Raqibul Hasan was the highlight of an otherwise lacklustre Bangladesh performance as they struggled to reach 222 in Mirpur. Needing to win with a bonus point to reach the final, Mohammad Ashraful chose to bat first - the side chasing hasn't won in the tournament - but, when he fell at the half-way stage, Bangladesh looked in a hole at 93 for 3. Raqibul's effort keeps their hopes alive, though, and if they restrict India to 177 or less they will pip Pakistan to the final.
Along with Raqibul, Ashraful had rebuilt a tottering innings - Bangladesh's openers had fallen for just 17 - with a 76-run stand in 19.4 overs, but his 67-ball 36 ended in a tame manner, one driven straight to Yusuf Pathan to hand him his first ODI wicket. Raqibul, though, rescued the situation with a composed innings, tackling the Indian bowlers with a confidence that would have pleased coach Jamie Siddons.
Walking in at 17 for 2, Raqibul patiently saw off some dangerous bowling from Praveen Kumar, who swung the ball and curbed the runs during his initial spell of 7-2-8-1. Two easy-paced deliveries from Irfan Pathan were sent for boundaries through the off side but Raqibul dealt largely in singles - his 89 contained just five fours.
Bangladesh needed to win by a bonus point to book their place in the final, but they always going to fall short of a fighting total after a miserly opening burst from Praveen Kumar. Raqibul Hasan's 89 would have given the most die-hard of supporters a glimmer of hope during the break between innings; however, once Sehwag and Gambhir found their rhythm, an India-Pakistan clash for Saturday's final was never in doubt, according to website cricinfo.
Bangladesh's thin hopes of making it to the final quickly diminished as Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir helped themselves to fifties in chase of a modest target. Raqibul Hasan's 89 had propped Bangladesh to 222, but their chances of restricting India to 177 or less - to earn the vital bonus point - were all but over after India's openers raced away to 85 for 1 in ten overs.
Sehwag had a few chances early in his innings. A close lbw shout from Mashrafe Mortaza was turned down, and a leading edge off Farhad Reza nearly landed in the hands of extra cover - a comedy of errors, though, helped him get five for it. Sehwag took the attack to Reza in the sixth over, smacking one over midwicket for a boundary and then one through point.
A hardworking 89 from Raqibul Hasan was the highlight of an otherwise lacklustre Bangladesh performance as they struggled to reach 222 in Mirpur. Needing to win with a bonus point to reach the final, Mohammad Ashraful chose to bat first - the side chasing hasn't won in the tournament - but, when he fell at the half-way stage, Bangladesh looked in a hole at 93 for 3. Raqibul's effort keeps their hopes alive, though, and if they restrict India to 177 or less they will pip Pakistan to the final.
Along with Raqibul, Ashraful had rebuilt a tottering innings - Bangladesh's openers had fallen for just 17 - with a 76-run stand in 19.4 overs, but his 67-ball 36 ended in a tame manner, one driven straight to Yusuf Pathan to hand him his first ODI wicket. Raqibul, though, rescued the situation with a composed innings, tackling the Indian bowlers with a confidence that would have pleased coach Jamie Siddons.
Walking in at 17 for 2, Raqibul patiently saw off some dangerous bowling from Praveen Kumar, who swung the ball and curbed the runs during his initial spell of 7-2-8-1. Two easy-paced deliveries from Irfan Pathan were sent for boundaries through the off side but Raqibul dealt largely in singles - his 89 contained just five fours.