Bangladesh net first win

Hosts Bangladesh got a winning start in the South Asian zone qualifying round of the FIBA Asian Cup by easily handing Bhutan a 61-49 defeat at the Dhanmondi Indoor Basketball Gymnasium yesterday.

Despite a slim 35-31 lead, Bangladesh were made to sweat by the visitors in the first half but came back strong in the second to ensure the triumph, which provided a boost to their hopes of clinching the zonal qualifiers.

State minister for youth and sports Biren Sikdar declared the five-team qualifiers open as chief guest while Bangladesh Olympic Association secretary general Syed Shahed Reza, FIBA representatives and other high-officials of the federation were present, among others.