Pakistan hand Bangladesh a thrashing

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by an innings and 264 runs in an Asian Test Championship match on Friday, with 20-year-old leg-spinner Danish Kanaria picking up 12 wickets in the match.

Resuming at 55 for three in their second innings, Bangladesh began the day 357 runs behind Pakistan's first innings total of 546 for three declared, but were bowled out for 148, just 14 runs more than they managed in their first innings.

In the first hour's play Kanaria, who grabbed six wickets for 42 in the Bangladesh first innings, sliced through the visitors' middle order, taking four wickets for just nine runs in one 22-ball spell.

The Bangladesh collapse began in the sixth over of the day when Kanaria had Akram Khan caught at first slip by substitute Younis Khan.

Kanaria's next victim was captain Naimur Rahman also caught at first slip, while next ball he caught and bowled Khalid Mashud off a full toss. His fourth victim was Enamul Haque, caught by Yousuf Youhana, one of Pakistan's five centurions on Thursday.

The lone Bangladesh batsman to show some spine was Habibul Bashar who stood firm for his unbeaten 56 as seven wickets tumbled around him for just 93 runs in the morning.

Bashar's fourth Test half century came off 97 balls in 167 minutes and included five boundaries.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis also made his presence felt with a haul of four for 19 in the second innings.

Bangladesh coach Trevor Chappell said his team had been outplayed on a good Test wicket, while captain Naimur Rahman said consistency was missing.

"We obviously expect to learn from our mistakes. But I thought our batsmen should have learned from their mistakes in the first innings and should have showed more application in the second innings," Rahman said.

"Pakistan bowled well, but we played worse."

The gulf between the two sides was well illustrated by the five Pakistani batsmen who scored centuries as the hosts racked up a first innings tally of 546 for three declared.

Bangladesh, playing their maiden Test against Pakistan, now move on to Colombo where they are due to play Sri Lanka from September 6 in the second Asian Test Championship match.

The championship is being contested by only three teams after India pulled out of the event.

Biggest Test wins

Mail Cricket Editor