Ashraful hands South Africa challenging task

Georgetown, Guyana: Mohammad Ashraful thrashed the strong South African attack to hit a dazzling 87 runs and help Bangladesh set a challenging 251 for 8 at the Providence Stadium.

Ashraful's knock studded with 12 boundaries came off just 83 balls. Some of his stokes stunned the South African bowlers.

Ashraful and Aftab Ahmad put on 76 runs in 86 balls after Andre Nel, playing in his first match of the tournament, picked three wickets to reduce Bangladesh to 84 for 4.

Bangladesh had got off to a good start with their openers Javed Omar and Tamim Iqbal putting on 42 runs before Nel struck repeatedly.

Mashrafe Mortaza, batting at No 6 chipped in with a breezy 25 runs off 16 balls. South Africa won the toss under overcast conditions and promptly decided to field. Iqbal began with a sparkling drive through the extra cover off Makhaya Ntini. In the same over, he slashed Ntini over the slips.

First blow

The opening pair put on 42 runs in 13.4 overs. Nel, who came in for Andrew Hall struck the first blow. He had Javed Omar slash the ball straight into the hands of Smith at gully. Skipper Habibul Bashar failed again. He lasted just 14 balls before driving uppishly at Nel and was brilliantly caught and bowled for 5.

Ten runs later, Iqbal too fell. He attempted to pull Nel and ended up edging the ball into the gloves of wicketkeeper Boucher.

Much was expected of Saqibul Hasan, who had stated that he is keen to play bowlers like Jacques Kallis and Pollock. But he fell to the fourth ball of Kallis' first over. He patted a rising ball from Kallis into the hands of Smith at backward point.