Rain spoils first ODI
Hasan Masood/Dailystarnews.com, from Chittagong

Heavy afternoon shower ruined what was turning out to be an exciting first one-day international between hosts Bangladesh and the West Indies at the MA Aziz Stadium here yesterday.

The home team were 90 for four at the end of the 17th over chasing a commanding Windies total of 275-7 when rain forced the players off the field.

Both teams are scheduled to leave the port city for Dhaka today morning to play the next two matches of the three-match series which will be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on December 2 and 3.

Although the showers, courtesy of a depression in the Bay of Bengal, stopped briefly after half an hour, it came down again in full force just as the groundsmen were about to remove the covers leaving match referee Ranjan Madugalle with little option but to call the game off.

The rain spoiled the party for a boisterous 22 thousand-strong home crowd, who were bubbling in anticipation of a close finish. But until the rain intervened, the full house got their moneys worth through some exciting cricket.

Sent into bat the high-flying West Indies top-order struggled for a change against the disciplined Bangladesh bowling attack. The visitors could score only 164-4 in the first 40 overs. But just when Bangladesh were getting confident of restricting the mighty Caribbeans to an attainable target, in strode Ricardo Powell to turn the match on its head with a savage 88 off 51 balls.

The Jamaican right-hander smote half a dozen of sixes and seven boundaries in his hurricane knock. Middle order batsman Daren Ganga chipped in with a 55-ball 44 inclusive of two sixes while Ramnaresh Sarwan and opener Chris Gayle added 39 and 38 run respectively.

Young leg spinner Mohammad Ashraful took two wickets from his expensive nine overs that yielded 71 runs.

Then it was the turn of seasoned campaigner Vasbert Drakes to devastate the Bangladesh top order with a four-wicket blast with the new ball.

Although rattled at 52 for four, the home side were showing signs of a comeback with Sanwar Hossain and Alok Kapali playing confidently. They shared 38 runs for the undefeated fifth wicket before rain intervened. In-between, Ashraful thrilled the spectators with a 25-ball 29 with a six and four boundaries. But his little gem came to a premature end when Chris Gayle took a stunning diving catch at slips off Drakes.

"We had a chance of winning if 25 overs were completed. According to the Duckworth-Lewis method, we needed to score 137 in 25 overs not losing more than four wickets for the victory. It was very much within our reach since Kapali and Sanwar were set in the middle," said Bangladesh coach Mohsin Kamal after the match was officially called off.

The former Pakistan fast bowler also said that his boys were dictating the terms until their lack of experience allowed the Caribbeans to score 111 runs in the last ten overs.

"If you look at the first 40 overs, then you got to give credit to our bowlers because they conceded only 164 runs. That effort gives me confidence," said Kamal.

Captain Khaled Mashud defended his decision to bowl first with only two pacers.

"I think the spinners too benefited from the moisture on the pitch and looking back, they did pretty well. I think we need to work more on how to bowl in the closing overs," said Mashud while heaping extra praise on off spinner Naimur Rahman who bowled brilliantly in his comeback match.

The former Bangladesh captain, who was dropped from the national team exactly a year back, conceded only 30 runs in his ten overs that included one maiden.

The new-ball pair of Monjurul Islam and Taposh Baishiya also began the Bangladesh attack impressively. Monjurul, the left arm seamer gave away 33 runs in his opening spell of eight overs while Taposh gave 30 runs in his opening six overs but continuously troubled the dangerous Windies openers Wavell Hinds and Chris Gayle.

West Indies skipper Ridley Jacobs believed the match was in their grasps.

"275 is a winning score. Though our top order did not play according to their potential, Ricardo Powell covered that up with his brilliant knock. I hope it doesn't rain in Dhaka," said Jacobs.

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