In a display of stellar Kabaddi, Bangladesh emphatically booked their place in the Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi final with a resounding 41-18 victory over Thailand. This dominant performance took place at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.
The three-time champions, Bangladesh, will now be eyeing their fourth title as they prepare to face the victor of the second semi-final between Kenya and Nepal, scheduled for Monday. Leading the charge for the men in red and green was their skipper, Arduzzaman Munshi. His brilliant raids proved to be a thorn in Thailand's side, amassing a significant points tally and earning Bangladesh a crucial three 'lonas' (a special point awarded for completely wiping out the opposition in a raid).
This dominance was further solidified by a commanding first-half performance where Bangladesh surged ahead with a score of 23-8.
From the very first raid, Bangladesh signalled their intent. Captain Munshi himself secured a vital four points, setting the tone for a one-sided contest. The home team never relinquished control, ensuring Thailand wouldn't replicate their upset victory over Bangladesh during the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Munshi continued to shine with his raids, while the dependable Mizanur Rahman chipped in with consistent points. The Bangladeshi defence, meanwhile, stood firm, effectively restricting Thailand's forays into their territory and limiting their scoring opportunities.
