Hamed guides Pakistan to victory

Yasir Hamed scored a stylish century yesterday to guide Pakistan to a comfortable 76-run win over Bangladesh in the cricket Asia Cup.

Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan made 257 runs for six wickets in 50 overs and later bowled out their opponents for 181 runs in the 46th over of the Pool A match.

Pakistan opener Hamed, playing in his 30th one-day international, scored 102 runs in 122-balls after his skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat.

Lucky to survive at 52, when Ashraful dropped him at long-off, Hameed's 168-minute stay at the wicket involved an 86-run opening stand with Imran Farhat and 109 runs for the third wicket with Haq in 127 balls.

The Bangladeshi openers made a confident start in their pursuit of 258 runs, sharing 48 runs with some confident stroke play.

Fast bowler Mohammad Sami made the breakthrough for Pakistan in the 11th over when Mohammad Ashraful nicked an edge to Mo'en Khan behind the stumps.

Sami next trapped Bangladeshi skipper Habibul Bashar lbw for two runs.

Bangladesh opening batsman Javed Omar extended his form from Friday's tournament opener against Hong Kong, where he scored 68 runs, with another classy half century. Omar, batting with a cramp, was run out on a hasty single attempted by his runner Ashraful for 62.

His 89-ball innings included seven boundaries and a 45-run stand with Rajin Saleh.

Bangladesh continued to slide after Saleh gave a return catch to offspinner Shoaib Malek when the total at 97. Alok Kapali made a quick 28 off 27 balls while Mohammad Rafique, who departed last, made 18.

Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar bowled a tidy 10 overs, taking three wickets for 30 runs. His his new ball partner Sami recorded 2-30 in eight overs.

Earlier, Haq made a quick 66-ball 58 which included four boundaries and two big sixes off left-arm spinner Rafique.

Hamed followed Haq, giving a catch to Mushfiqur Rahman at long-on off seamer Khalid Mahmoud. Yousuf Youhana remained unbeaten at 29.

Spinner Abdur Razzak was the pick of Bangladesh bowlers taking two for 36.