Result: Leicestershire County Cricket Club won by 42 runs.
Gritty defiance by two Khaleds, Mahmud and Masood, saved Bangladesh from major humiliation but not from being beaten by Leicestershire County Cricket Club by 42 runs at Grace Road on Monday.
According to a faxed message received here yesterday, Bangladesh were heading for a massive defeat against the 1996 county champions when, chasing a commanding Leicestershire total of 262 in 50 overs, they were at one stage tottering with six down for 61 as the top order once again performed its routine plummetting act.
The imminent doom seemed destined to be coupled with embarrassment until the Khaled duo picked the day for a fight against the home side with a magnificent 131-run seventh wicket partnership. And, thus the visitors pulled off a saving grace.
The stand was broken on 191 when Mahmud, the unassuming right hander, was castled by Maddy after hammering a workmanlike 79 off just 72 balls. Masood joined Mahmud in the dressing room soon afterwards. He added a patient 45 off 72 balls.
After Khaled Masood's departure with Bangladesh on 196, Hasibul played some superb shots and scored a quick-fire 18 off eight balls to help Bangladesh reach 220 at last.
Although the target set by the hosts was at best far reaching, the way the Bangladesh top order threw the towel was scandalous. Athar (2) and his opening partner Azam Iqbal (5) returned when Bangladesh were on 11. Vice-captain Aminul (2) followed suit with the score on 26. Skipper Akram (6) then helped to puff the panic when he was forced to leave the crease with his side on 47. Things went from worse to the pathetic as Faruque (20) and Naimur (9) found themselves idle after adding another 14 runs. Earlier, Leicestershire's fighting total, after electing to bat, was built around a superb century from opener I J Sutcliffe. The number two batsman scored 101 off 124 balls which included two sixes and nine boundaries. The other opener D Maddy (32) and one-down Dakin (25) were the other notable run-getters for the home side.
Right-arm medium pacer Khaled Mahmud, before going wild with his willow, and left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique were the most successful Bangladesh bowlers sharing four wickets, while Hasibul, Athar and Naimur took one wicket each.
It was Bangladesh's second successive defeat in England having played three matches so far. The visitors lost to the England and Wales Cricket Board by eight wickets last Sunday and had won their first match against Radlett Cricket Club by seven wickets on June 18.
The next match, another limited over engagement against MCC Young Cricketers, is scheduled today at Finchley.