Bangladesh beat Nepal in Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi to be group toppers
After four consecutive wins in the group, Bangladesh had to sweat hard as Nepal appeared to be tougher than expected by Arduzzaman and co.
Bangladesh emerged as the group A champions in the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi with a hard-fought 46-31 win against sub-continental challengers Nepal held at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium on Friday.
After four consecutive wins in the group, Bangladesh had to sweat hard as Nepal appeared to be tougher than expected by Arduzzaman and co.
However, the teamwork assisted the holders to make it five in a row.
Nepal tasted their first defeat and finished runners-up in the group.
Mizanur Rahman, the ace raider was high-flying again scoring 20 points and was adjudged the man of the match for his impressive performance.
The fiercely competitive affair saw the score line locked 9-9 at the end of the ten-minute.
The raider's efficiency of both teams saw them both earning points on a regular basis.
The score line proceeded with 13-13, 14-13, and 14-14 with players going out and coming in.
However, Bangladesh kept their nerve cool at the finishing stage of the first half and managed to take a lead of 18-14 when the referees signalled the pause and asked to change the ends.
Bangladesh earned their first lona at the very beginning of the second half and Mizanur Rahman's super raid that sent two Nepalese players out helped Bangladesh take the scoreline to 23-16.
Within minutes Bangladesh earned the second lona running to take a lead of 15 points in the score line of 31-16.
Nepal however came back strong as Bangladesh conceded their first lona in the meet when Nepal sent all the Bangladesh players out on their score of 23.
But Bangladesh reunited to have the last laugh as the winners.