Friday, August 31, 2001 MULTAN, Pakistan (Reuters)
Bangladesh coach Trevor Chappell believes his batsmen handed Pakistan victory by gifting legspinner Danish Kaneria 12 wickets in the Asian Test Championship (ATC) match.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by an innings and 264 runs, with 20-year-old Kaneria slicing through Bangladesh's weak batting line-up. He took 12 for 94 in only his third Test for Pakistan.

"Kaneria was not unplayable. True the wicket had some bounce and slight turn. But most of our batsmen gifted their wickets," Chappell said.

"True, he bowled a few good balls and got wickets on them. But our batsmen should have shown more application and resolve."

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, however, felt the newest team in the international Test arena should not be too disappointed with their performance.

"They are new in this game (Test cricket) and they surely need some time to cope with the hardships of Test cricket," Waqar said.

"It was pretty hot out there and it was not easy for them."

But Bangladesh captain Naimur Rahman said the thrashing by Pakistan was his team's worst performance in the four Tests they had played so far.

The gulf between the two sides was well illustrated by the five Pakistani batsmen who scored centuries as the hosts racked up a first innings tally of 546 for 3 declared.

"It is disappointing to lose like this. Pakistan has a world class bowling attack. But we did not play to our potential," Rahman said.

Despite the demoralising defeat, Rahman praised Habibul Bashar for withstanding the fierce Pakistan bowling attack. Bashar was the lone Bangladesh batsman who stood firm to score an unbeaten 56 in the second innings as seven wickets tumbled around him for just 93 runs.

"Habib showed us how we should have played. He played a remarkable innings," Rahman said.

Pakistan gained 16 points for their innings victory and another eight batting and bowling points from the first ATC match.

Bangladesh, playing their maiden Test against Pakistan, now move on to Colombo where they are due to play Sri Lanka from September 6 in the second ATC match.

The championship is being contested by only three teams after India pulled out of the event.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd