September 16, 2003	Tuesday	Rajab 18, 1424

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LAHORE, Sept 15: Career-best bowling by medium-pacer  Umar Gul helped Pakistan take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match One-day International series against Bangladesh after the visitors lost the day-night encounter by 42 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

Umar captured five for 17 in nine overs as Bangladesh were restricted to 201 for nine, after their original target of 258 was revised to 244 in 44 overs under Duckworth/Lewis method because of two stoppages caused by lighting failures at the stadium.

Pakistan’s series-winning victory was their 300th in 564 One-day Internationals and the 19th at this venue.

The D/L rules was to apply when the power supply system  to the floodlights failed twice. The lights were to switch on  at 5.15pm, but it was found that a circuit break in the  system prevented its function.

Mike Procter, the ICC match referee, was informed by umpires Nadeem Ghauri and Russell Tiffin about the fault when the first over of the Bangladesh’s innings had been completed by Man-of-the-Match Umar Gul. But as soon as Shabbir Ahmed bowled the second over, the match referee rushed to the playing area to apprise the umpires about the factual position of the electric system failure.

The umpires consulted Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and it was decided to leave the pitch till the electricity was fully restored after a delay of 22 minutes.

But the another interruption of 37 minutes came about when Bangladesh batsmen Hannan Sarkar and Habibul Bashar refused to play in the seventh over of the innings as the light was inadequate due to the closure of the light of one pole at the College End.

However, the result of the match was beyond doubt as only Alok Kapali and Hannan, who put on 95 for the fourth wicket, offered  resistance.

Mohammad Hafeez broke the partnership, getting rid of Hannan for 61, scored off 106 balls with the help of four boundaries. The opener was fortunate to be given not out with his score on 35 when TV umpire Asad Rauf found on the replays that Hannan, who had been given out by field umpire, as a result of a direct hit by Shoaib Malik from the fence. But the TV replays showed indicated that Shoaib had actually touched the rope while throwing.

Kapali, by far, the most convincing of the visiting batsmen,  scored a fine 65-ball 61 studded with five fours and a six.

Earlier, Hafeez failed again after Inzamam-ul-Haq decided to bat first upon winning his third consecutive toss. The opener nicked an outside edge to wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud off medium-pacer Tapash Baisya for two runs.

Yousuf Youhana, the century-maker in the Faisalabad game on Friday, survived three chances but managed to retrieve the situation with opener Yasir Hameed. They added 77 for the second wicket before Yasir went after making 40 off 66 balls, laced with three fours.

Youhana and Younis Khan then came together in the highest partnership of the match. The pair shared a third wicket stand worth 126 before Youhana fell, bowled by Mushfiqur Rahman for 65. His 74-ball knock included five boundaries.

Skipper Inzamam then joined Younis in another useful stand that realised 57 for the fifth wicket before Younis was caught by Rajin Saleh off Rafique for 41. He stroked a couple of boundaries in his 54-ball knock.

Inzamam, however, batted sensibly to complete his 66th one-day half-century. But he could not get enough support  from the other end as Pakistan lost four wickets in the slog overs. The Pakistan captain remained unbeaten with a 54-ball 64 that contained four sixes and two fours.