Tigers in deep trouble

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Bangladesh lost half of their side for next to nothing as they were in pursuit of a massive 319-run target set by Sri Lanka in their Group B World Cup match at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain yesterday.

The former world champions rode on Sanath Jayasuriya’s devastating century as they piled 318 for 5 in their 50 overs after being put in by Tigers captain Habibul Bashar. In reply, Bangladesh lost five wickets for only 55 runs after 22 overs.

Opener Shahriar Nafees’s horror World Cup continued when he left an incoming ball from left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas in the first over, only to be out plumb in front. His partner and hero of the last match Tamim Iqbal fell for only six, edging a Lasith Malinga delivery to ‘keeper Kumar Sangakkara.

Aftab Ahmed gave in to his temptations to a big shot as he holed out to Jayasuriya at square-leg. One-drop Mushfiqur Rahim soon followed, out caught at point off Farveez Maharoof. With the score on 41, Sakib Al Hasan fell to off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran.

Mohammad Ashraful joined captain Bashar and with the innings in tatters, the two men at the crease should look to play face-saving knocks.

Earlier, left-handed Jayasuriya, who had left the field on 83 due to cramp, returned in the closing overs to score an 87-ball 109 for his 24th hundred in one-day internationals.

Jayasuriya struck seven sixes and as many fours in an engrossing display of aggressive batting, reaching his century with a six off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq.

The 37-year-old Jayasuriya had already put his team on course for a big total before he had retired hurt.

Sangakkara and Chamara Silva continued the good work to ensure Bangladesh chased a stiff target in their second Group-B match, which was interrupted for 30 minutes due to rain.

Sangakkara smashed 56 and Silva cracked a 48-ball 52 not out for their second successive half-centuries.

Bangladesh, who had bowled and fielded superbly against India on the way to a shock five-wicket win, failed to repeat their performance last night as they dropped three catches and missed a few run-out chances.

Bangladesh will meet Bermuda in the final group game here on Sunday.

In the other match of the day, a tearful exit by Inzamamul Haq was overshadowed by Imran Nazir’s rousing 160 in Pakistan’s final World Cup match against Zimbabwe at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Inzamam delighted the small crowd with a brief cameo of 37 off 35 balls, but Nazir plundered 14 fours and eight sixes in 121 balls, as Pakistan, sent in to bat, were dismissed for 349 in 49.5 overs. In reply, Zimbabwe were 30 for three in 10 overs.

When Inzamam arrived, Nazir was well into stride, but he joined in the fun with two fours and three sixes before he skied an on-drive to extra cover off Tawanda Mupariwa in the 28th over.

As Inzamam retreated to the dressing room, the celebrating Zimbabwe players all rushed to shake his hand and his Pakistan teammates descended the steps from the dressing-room to form a guard of honour, as Inzamam burst into tears at the gestures.

Nazir was eyeing his landmark and reached his milestone, when he played forward defensively to Christopher Mpofu, and scampered a single to the short cover fielder.

He then flicked Mupariwa through square leg for a single to reach his 150 as Pakistan eyed a massive total.

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