DHAKA, March 20, 2023 (BSS)- Bangladesh cruised to the final of prestigious

Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi tournament beating Thailand by 45-26
points in the first semifinal held today (Monday) at Shaheed Noor Hossain
National Volleyball Stadium in the city's Paltan area.

The defending champions Bangladesh ranked number five in the world had a
cautious start against the ninth ranked Thailand. The scoreline of Bangladesh
2 Thailand 3 in the sixth minute showed the slow scoring rate.

Bangladesh leveled the scoreline for the first time in the 13th minute as the
score board showed 7-7 draw. Tuhin Tarafder ousted three Thai players in the
16th minute with a superb raid and it proved as the turning point of the
match. The host team inflicted the first Lona or allout with the super raid
of Tuhin and started firing all cylinders. The signal of the conclusion of
first half saw Bangladesh led by 17-11 points.

After the change of ends, Bangladesh concentrated upon keeping the lead
taking more points with raids rather than catching the Thai attackers.
However, right corner of Bangladesh Roman Hossain branded a super performance
in the dying minutes with his precise catching. Thailand raider Chayaphon
Kamunee troubled Bangladesh defence line and scored eight points but Thailand
was unable to break the superiority of Bangladesh.

Tuhin Tarafder, who was adjudged man of the match for his impressive
performance in the match, scored 11 points while Mizanur Rahman supported him
with 11 points in his team's account.