Captain Rahim ton lifts Bangladesh to 279-7
FATULLAH, Bangladesh (AP) — Captain Mushfiqur Rahim struck a career-best 117 as Bangladesh notched a challenging 279-7 against India in the Asia Cup on Wednesday.
Rahim struck seven fours and two sixes, featuring in a 133-run, third-wicket partnership with opener Anamul Haque (77) as Bangladesh prospered after being put in to bat by Virat Kohli, who was India's stand-in captain in the absence of the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
It was the second ODI century for Rahim, the previous being 101 against Zimbabwe at Harare in 2011.
Rahim took control of the middle overs with ease as he rotated the strike cleverly and also came up with some lusty blows to unsettle the Indian attack. He took 104 balls for his century, and 113 for his total, losing his wicket in the final over at deep midwicket.
Haque, too, was impressive, striking five fours and three sixes off 106 deliveries. He struck two of those sixes off pace bowler Varun Aaron and reached his half-century off a straight six off offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Haque was out when he inside-edged a full-length delivery from Aaron on to the stumps.
Aaron also got the stick from Rahim, who once hit him for 16 runs off the first four deliveries of an over including a six over square leg, before the pace bowler let go a beamer that hit Rahim on the chest when the batsman was on 80.
Aaron was not allowed to bowl again for dangerous play since it was his second full toss above waist height during the innings. Aaron conceded 1-74 off 7.5 overs.
Earlier, opener Shamsur Rahman (7) was the first man to be dismissed as pace bowler Mohammad Shami took a return catch off a high miscued pull shot, almost colliding with Ambati Rayudu, who came running in from cover.
Left-hander Mominul Haque (23) was the next to go as wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik made a smart stumping off Ashwin with the ball going down the legside after hitting both bat and pad.
Bangladesh was 49-2 at that stage but Haque and Rahim settled in well and ensured a long period of stability.
Shami was the most successful bowler for India, bagging 4-50 and curtailing the home side's scoring in the end overs.
