October 17, 2003	Friday	Sha'aban 20, 1424

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SAVAR (Bangladesh), Oct 16: Teenage opener Nafis Iqbal hit 118 to lift Bangladesh ‘A’ towards a respectable 242 all out on the first day of their three-day match against England on Thursday.

The 19-year-old right-hander hit 14 fours and a six, staying more than three and a half hours at the wicket.

Nafis, a nephew of Bangladesh’s former skipper Akram Khan, clubbed three consecutive fours off Matthew Hoggard, the first of them bringing up his century in 161 balls.

Earlier, paceman Steve Harmison dismissed test opener Javed Omar (0) and Aftab Ahmed (4) in his third over to give England a good start.

But Nafis then shared in a 113-run third-wicket partnership with his captain Rajin Saleh, who made 28 before sending a catch behind off Richard Johnson.

Rikki Clarke’s direct hit dismissed middle-order batsman Nazimuddin run out for 11 and Nafis was caught at long-on while trying a big hit.

England picked up two more wickets quickly but tailenders Arafat Sunny and Mosaddeque Hossain contributed 25 and 21 to help the home side to a reasonable score.

Harmison was the pick of the England bowlers with three for 35 off 10 overs.