The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Keen contest on the cards

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 31, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

Keen contest on the cards

DHAKA, JAN. 30. Winning the toss looks likely to be an important factor in gaining an edge in Monday's fifth and deciding limited-overs cricket match at a spin-friendly Bangabandhu National Stadium.

``The toss will be a factor, but we can chase also — and we want to prove it,'' Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said on Sunday. ``But it will be difficult to bat against spinners on the Dhaka pitch.''

Zimbabwe's captain Tatenda Taibu, agreed it would be a difficult task batting second on Monday. ``Chasing runs will be difficult for both teams,'' Taibu said. ``We have to handle the spinners carefully.''

Spin bowlers Manjarul Islam Rana and Mohammad Rafique took four wickets each on Saturday to hand Bangladesh a 58-run victory over Zimbabwe in the fourth match. Zimbabwe spinner Brendan Taylor took three wickets for 54 runs.

Zimbabwe won the first two games of the five-match series, before Bangladesh won the next two to level it 2-2.

Taibu maintained Monday's decider was the only result that matters now. ``We are still confident of winning the series,'' Taibu said. ``It doesn't matter who first led or who came from behind — anybody can win.'' Taibu said his young side was learning with each game.

Bashar said he expected solid innings from his top order, and good bowling from his spinners — the heroes of Bangladesh's two victories. The host batted first after winning the toss in each win.

The teams (from):

Bangladesh: Habibul Bashar (capt.), Nafis Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraful, Khaled Mashud, Khaled Mahmud, Mashrafee Bin Mortaza, Mohammad Rafique, Nazmul Hossain, Manjarul Islam Rana, Alok Kapali and Rajin Saleh.

Zimbabwe: Tatenda Taibu (capt.), Tinashe Panyangara, Douglas Hondo, Elton Chigumbura, Dion Ebrahim, Prosper Utseya, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Barney Rogers, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Christopher Mpofu, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tawanda Mupariwa, Terrence Duffin, Graeme Cremer and Mluleki Nkala. — AP

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