17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

HARARE, Feb 16: A first-class career-best six for 46 by Tareq Aziz Khan enabled Bangladesh to open their tour here with a narrow victory over a strong Zimbabwe 'A' side.

Bangladesh got home by 29 runs in their three-day warm-up match at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy. On a lively wicket, Bangladesh scored 199 and 174, Zimbabwe 'A' replying with 183 and 161.

Tareq dismissed the first two home batsmen with only seven runs on the board. Vusi Sibanda, 41, and Stuart Matsikenyere, 22, put on 55 for the third Zimbabwe wicket, but the tourists were not to be denied as Tareq continued his good work to put out four middle order batsmen.

A relieved Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said the victory was phsychologically important ahead of the first Test beginning here on Thursday.

Final scores:

BANGLADESH 199 (Shahriar Hossain 75, Manjural Islam 40, D.T. Hondo 3-19) and 174 (Mohammad Ashraful 59, G.B. Brent 3-42);

ZIMBABWE 'A' 183 (G. Ewing 71, T.R. Gripper 38, Alamgir Kabir 5-47) and 161 (V. Sibanda 41, A. Maregwede 41, Tareq Aziz Khan 6-46). -AFP