Bangladesh have set a target of against England in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Adelaide, courtesy of a maiden ton for Mahmudullah and an excellent innings from Mushfiqur innings. The innings started off on a bad note for Bangladesh as they lost two wickets early on.
Imrul Kayes, who was brought into the squad in place of the injured Anamul Haque was dismissed off the third delivery of the first over. After he went for just two runs, the in form Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for just two runs in the fourth over. James Anderson was the bowler on both occasions.
Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah then put on a 86-run stand for the third wicket and resurrected the Bangladesh innings to a certain extent. Soumya Sarkar was then dismissed for 40, dismissed by off-spinner Moeen Ali after he was caught at first slip. Shakib-al-Hasan, world’s best all-rounder then walked in and he would have hoped to consolidate on the earlier partnership but he was unable to do so as he was dismissed for a meek score of two.
Mushfiqur Rahim then walked in at No.6 and immediately started hitting and built a solid partnership with Mahmudullah. Mushfiqur rahim got to his fifty off just 49 deliveries and that gave Bangladesh the much needed push, especially after losing two wickets back-to-back. Mahmudullah then became the first Bangladesh player to score a World Cup ton in the 44th over of the match.
The partnership was going on extremely well until Mahmudullah was run out for 103 off 138 balls, with seven fours and two sixes punctuating his innings. The 141-run between the duo is the highest partnership for Bangladesh in a World Cup.
Mushfiqur was dismissed for a well made 89 off just 77 deliveries in the 48th over and thus became the third highest individual score in World Cups.England had earlier won the toss and elected to bowl first in a must win game. They made two changes to their team. They got in Alex Hales and Chris Jordan in place of Gary Ballance and Steven Finn. Bangladesh were forced to make a change as Kayes came into the side in place of Haque.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh: 275 for 7 in 50 overs (Mahmudullah 103, Mushfiqur Rahim 89; James Anderson 2 for 45) vs England
Agencies/QH