Pak Academy too strong for BCB Academy

The GP-BCB Academy team conceded a humiliating nine-wicket defeat against Pakistan Academy team in the 2nd one-day match of the three-nation Grameenphone Academy Cup Cricket at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong Wednesday. Hosts GP-BCB team, riding on 113 runs by opener Imrul Kayes, made a flying start in the three-nation one-day tournament beating South Africa Academy team by 75 runs in the opening match at the same venue on Tuesday.

In the day’s match, the home side won the toss for the second consecutive time, but were all out for 177 runs in 49.4 overs due to poor batting by the top order batsmen.

After the dismissal of seven batsmen--Jahirul Islam (4), Shamsur Rahman (0), Mushfiqur Rahim (10), Mehrab Hossain (4) Nasiruddin Faruk (17), Nasir Hossain (36), Dollar Mahmud (0)--for 95 runs in 28.2 overs, tailenders Suhrawardi Shuvo, Delwar Hossain and Nazmul Hossain carried team total to 177 runs.

In a run drought situation, Delwar Hossain and Nazmul Hossain scored 47 runs in the 9th wicket stand to save the host team from another awkward position.

Number ten batsmen Nazmul Hossain contributed 28 runs off 41 deliveries hitting two fours and one six while number nine Delwar Hossain made 50-ball 26 runs with three fours.

Suhrawardi Shuvo scored 26 off 52 balls including two fours while Nasir Hossain, who made a half-century against South Africa on Tuesday, also scored team highest 36 runs off 64 balls with five hits to the fence and one over the fence.

Muhammad Aamir grabbed four Bangladesh wickets for 21 runs in 7.4 overs with a maiden and was adjudged man of the match.

Pacer Anwar Ali and Azharullah took two wickets each conceding 40 and 34 runs respectively.

Chasing an easy target, Pakistan Academy team reached their target scoring 180 for the loss of only one wicket in 38.4 overs.

After the departure of opener Ahmed Shehzad (18) for 44 runs in 10.3 overs, another opener Khurrum Manzoor pairing with one down Khaled Latif guided the team toward the victory scoring 136 runs in the 2nb wicket partnership.

Khaled Latif hammared an unconquered 84 runs off 89 deliveries with 12 hits across rope and three over the rope while Khurram Manzoor contributed an unbeaten 68 off 116 balls hitting nine boundaries.

Mahbubul Alam Robin claimed the lone Pakistan wicket of Ahmed Shehzad conceding 35 runs in his five over spell.

Pakistan will meet South Africa in the third one-day match on Thursday at the same venue.

After the league basis matches in three teams at the BSSRAS, the two top teams will meet in the final on April 23 at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

--UNB, Dhaka