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Nasir the crowd favourite

Sports Reporter

Nasir Hossain made a decent contribution with the bat as Asia-Canada XI beat the World XI by three wickets in an all-star Twenty20 game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on Saturday.

Though he got out in the twenties and didn't take a wicket, it was enough to leave an impression on the Bangladeshi expatriates who made up the majority of the spectators at the game.

The Asia-Canada XI reached their target of 167 runs in 19 overs after World XI 164-6 in 20 overs.

Coming in to bat at No 4, the Tigers all-rounder struck three boundaries in his 20-ball 21 and shared a quick 35-run third wicket stand with Hiral Patel, before he gave South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher an edge off paceman Tino Best. Nasir apart, Sri Lanka great Sanath Jayasuriya hammered 41 off 24 balls with seven fours and a six during the chase.

Nasir also took two catches to dismiss New Zealander Jacob Oram (a spectacular one at the long-on boundary) and Boucher but was generous with his off-spin; he gave away 22 runs in his only over.

Not only were the supporters treated to his on-field performance, Nasir fulfilled all their requests for autographs and photos at the end of the game.

"After the match was over, Nasir immediately walked up to the sidelines where the majority of the Bangladeshi fans were sitting, and spent a considerable amount of time in signing autographs and taking pictures with everyone who requested him to," said Mahir Khan, a Toronto resident who was at the game.

"Bangladeshi jerseys and flags dominated the small crowd that showed up for the match, and Nasir easily had the biggest support from the stands in the match," he added.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=234023