Bangladesh too strong for Bermuda

ANTIGUA: Shahriar Nafees warmed up for the World Cup with his fourth one-day century as Bangladesh cruised to a comfortable win over Bermuda in Antigua.

Opener Nafees made 104 not out off 112 balls and shared an unbroken stand of 134 with Saqibul Hasan (42) as they won by eight wickets.

Lionel Cann’s 33 was the top score in Bermuda’s 205-8, and Bangladesh reached 206-2 with 12.3 overs to spare.

The match was the first in a triangular series, also involving Canada.

And it underlined how much improvement Bermuda still need to make to be competitive in their World Cup group games against Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

Although skipper Irvine Romaine, who was lbw to spinner Mohammad Rafique for a third ball duck, was the only batsman not to reach double figures, no-one was able to go on and play a major innings.

David Hemp, a full-time professional in county cricket with Glamorgan, was Rafique’s other victim in a spell of 2-38 when he was caught for 20.

Bermuda subsided to 128-6 but aggressive batting by Janeiro Tucker (31), Saleem Mukuddem (32) and Cann, who hit three sixes, enabled them to post a respectable total.

But even though they had the encouragement of an early wicket when Tucker had youngster Tamim Iqbal caught by Oliver Pitcher for 11, it quickly became apparent that it was well below what was needed to give them a chance of an upset victory. Bermuda Innings