Whitewash!

India needed just four balls to dismiss the lastBangladesh wicket and inflict an innings and 83 runs defeat on the hosts in thesecond Test for a 2-0 series whitewash today.

India, who had won the first Test at Dhaka by aninnings and 140 runs, completed the formalities even before the paltry crowdcould settle down on the penultimate day of the match at the M.A. Aziz Stadium,bowling out the hosts for 124.

Bangladesh, who collapsed in their second innings to beplaced at 118 for nine overnight, added just six runs this morning which cameoff the blade of Talha Jubair who sent the second ball of the day from HarbhajanSingh over the ropes for a six.

But that was all the number 11 batsman could do as heholed out to Irfan Pathan at long-on just two balls later, bringing an end tothe ordeal of his side which suffered its 31st defeat in 34 matches sincegaining Test status in 2000.

The series win capped India's fine run this year duringwhich they won two more series - against Pakistan and South Africa. It alsoimproved India's tally to 108 in the ICC Test rankings and brought them onepoint closer to second-placed England and three ahead of Pakistan (105).

Bangladesh had raised hopes of putting up a fight against their superioropponents when they made 333 in their first innings, built around a superbunbeaten 158 by eventual man-of-the-match Mohammad Ashraful. But a familiarcollapse in the second innings after Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly enforced thefollow-on, meant India achieved a victory with almost two days to spare.

The hosts had come quite close to avoiding thefollow-on after bowling out the Indians for 540, but they fell short by justeight runs.

It was Indian left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan (5-32) whothen wreaked havoc as he ripped through the top order before the spinners, ledby Anil Kumble, shared the remaining wickets to fashion India's comprehensivewin.

Bangladesh could have been bowled out well under the100 mark but for the 40-run last wicket partnership between the number 10batsman Nazmul Hossain and last man Jubair, who eventually emerged as theinnings top scorer.

Pathan, who finished with 18 wickets from the twoTests, was named man-of-the-series.

India now have an extra day of unscheduled rest but theintense security measures could also mean more time to kill ahead of the firstof three one-day internationals starting at the same venue on Thursday.

The second and third one-dayers are back-to-back matches under lights in Dhakaon Sunday and Monday. Bangladesh, though, have more serious problems to worryabout.

The dazzling century by 20-year old Ashraful caught theIndians unawares but equally bizarre was their collapse in the second inningswhich lasted less than 27 overs.

Ashraful's innings was a perfect example of counter-attackingbatsmanship but the inability of the top order to handle the new ball broughttheir downfall in the second innings.

But the batting collapse also pointed to the prodigioustalent of Pathan who claimed his third five-wicket haul of the series.

It was an apt reward for the 20-year old pacer whoshowed remarakbale skills in converting a bad phase in the morning to aspectacular one in the evening.

The left arm fast bowler bowled 14 overs on the trot atone stage, five towards the end of Bangladesh's first innings and nine at thestart of the second.

Zaheer Khan was a bit off colour on the third day butlike his new ball partner, the Baroda seamer found the right length in hissecond and third spells to claim his 100th Test wicket.

It capped a good comeback by Zaheer who was at thereceiving end for the most part this year due to his frequent breakdowns byinjury.

The Test would be remembered for the important individual landmarks achieved bythe Indian batsmen. Rahul Dravid became the first to score a century in everyTest playing nation. It was some achievement and ended a not so good start tothe season on a positive note for Dravid who would now look at the Pakistanseries ahead with added confidence.

Opener Gautam Gambhir struck his maiden ton, havingfallen short by four runs against South Africa at home earlier.

The Delhi left hander's strokeplay was a welcomecontrast to his state teammate Akash Chopra's studied defence but he would haveto prove himself against tougher opposition.

For Bangladesh, Mashrafe Mortaza was the other find ofthe series. The 21-year old right arm pacer proved to be more than a handful tothe Indian top order, and he seemed to cherish the fact that he got Dravid boththe times.

The average age of the Bangladesh team is less than 24and that should be a good reason to hope for a better future.

It was also a bold and appreciable thing by Bangladeshto lay out a good sporting wicket for both the matches. That is probably oneaspect of the game the Indians might learn from the hosts.

PTI