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No let-up against Bangladesh: Inzamam

Abdul Waheed | September 14, 2003 21:19 IST

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has warned his team not to let up against Bangladesh when the sides meet in the third one-day international on Monday.

Pakistan, who lead the five-match series 2-0, dominated the first two games in Multan and Faisalabad and are on track for a series whitewash.

"I think we are well on our way to a 5-0 sweep of the one-day series, but we have got to keep doing the little things right," Inzamam told reporters on Sunday.

"We can't afford to relax, even against Bangladesh, because a win for them would be a major happening and boost.

"For us, it would be a big comedown, despite the earlier wins against them," he added.

Pakistan outclassed Bangladesh by 137 runs in Multan, Yasir Hameed leading the spree with 116 and helping the home side to 323 for three, their highest one-day total against Bangladesh.

Yousuf Youhana then hit a sparkling 106 to pave the way for a crushing 74-run victory for Pakistan in Faisalabad on Friday, although Bangladesh, chasing 244 for victory, wasted a good platform of 85 for one after 18 overs.

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore has been delighted with a general improvement in his team's efforts in Pakistan, but knows they desperately need a win to boost morale.

"Once these guys taste victory, there will be further improvement in them," he said. "I think what they have learnt on this tour will serve them well in the next series against England.

BANGLADESH IMPROVEMENT

"The improvement has been there in many departments of the game, and that is a matter of satisfaction for me. But I want this improvement process to continue in the last three one-dayers.

"The fact that we have been in a position to win on a few occasions in the Tests and one-dayers, but have let the opportunity slip by, has been a disappointment."

Pakistan won the recent Test series 3-0, but Bangladesh twice slipped to defeat after taking a first-innings lead.

Bangladesh have not won a one-day international since their famous defeat of Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup at Northampton.

Since then, they have lost 39 out of 41 one-dayers, with two being no results due to bad weather.

With the pitch for Monday's game showing a tinge of green, both sides are expected to field a pace-dominated attack.

Pakistan have not yet decided whether to give fast bowler Mohammad Sami his first one-dayer of the series following his recovery from an ankle injury.

The 22-year-old Sami was ruled out of the Test series against Bangladesh due to a stress hairline fracture in his right ankle, and team manager Haroon Rasheed said doctors had advised that Sami not be rushed back for the third game.

"They feel it would be better if he settles down and is played in the last two games to get him match fit for the coming series against South Africa," Rasheed said.


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