Ashraful helps Bangladesh post 251 for eight against SAfrica

Georgetown, Guyana, Apr 7 (UNI) Mohd Ashraful (87 runs off 83 balls) led an amazing rearguard as Bangladesh came alive in slog overs to post a challenging total of 251 for eight against World No one team South Africa in their Super Eights match at the Guyana National Stadium here today.

After being put in to bat first the Tigers, whipped up badly by the Anzacs (Australia and New Zealand) in their last two matches, were struggling again with four wickets down for 84 in the 24th over.

However, talented Ashraful, who had an innings long overdue on him, first steadied the ship with Aftab Ahmed (35) and then towards the end with Mashrafe Mortaza (25) went ballistic plundering 54 in just 30 balls off South Africans to post a respectable total.

Ashraful's 87 came off in just 83 balls with 12 hits to the fence as he single-handedly tore apart the South African attack and patented the off stump flick over the short leg shot which gave him the maximum runs.

He was ruthless and gave scant respect to any of the top bowlers of South Africa.

His end also came by the same stroke when in the last over, Charl Lengeveldt picked up an easy catch at deep square leg off Andre Nel.

Earlier the Bangladesh batsmen lacked aggression but frustrated the much superior bowling attack of the Proteas who had to wait for a while for the first wicket.

Javed Omar was the first to go when he was caught by Graeme Smith off Andre Nel for a patient 17. He added 42 runs in 13.4 overs with Tamim Iqbal.

The wicket fired up Nel furthermore and soon removed off-color Habiul Bashar (5) who hit back one to the bowler.

That took a toll on Tamim Iqbal (38), who was impressive in his 59-ball stay on the crease. Nel induced an edge of Iqbal, which was pouched safely by Mark Boucher behind the wickets. Iqbal hit 6 boundaries in his innings and Bangladesh were 69 for three in 20 overs.

Saqibul Hasan (9) departed soon edging Kallis to Smith and it was left to Ashraful Aftab Ahmed to rebuild the innings. The duo added 56 runs for the fifth wicket with Ahmed being the dominant partner.

Before he was undone by Makhaya Ntini in the 38 over, Ahmed had scored 35 off 43 balls with a couple of shots to the fence and as many over it.

Mushfiqur Rahim (6) found himself struggling for his crease as South Africans sensed an opportunity there.

However, all there hopes went up in smoke as Ashraful and Mortaza launched an amazing counter attack.

They played a street-smart cricket with cheeky shots nicely milking a confused Protea attack. Mortaza made 25 in 16 balls before being castled by Nel.

UNI