Mahmudullah smashed a scintillating century to register Bangladesh's first hundred in a World Cup and took his side to a fighting 275 for 7 against England in the crucial Pool A match on Monday.
Published : 09 Mar 2015, 08:19 AM
Mushfiqur Rahim (89) gave very good support to Mahmudullah (103) as the duo paired for 141-run fifth wicket stand, Bangladesh’s highest for any wicket in World Cup, at the Adelaide Oval.
Bangladesh lost both openers early after being put to bat by England.
James Anderson sent Imrul Kayes (2) and Tamim Iqbal (2) packing, both caught in the slips, in consecutive overs.
Soumya Sarkar scored 40, cobbling together with Mahmudullah an 86-run recovery stand to help the Tigers recover from the initial setback.
They played sensibly to strengthen the Tigers' platform.
England, however, struck back picking up two more quick wickets to put Bangladesh on the back foot again.
Soumya Sarkar (40) went back when Chris Jordan's bouncer brushed his gloves on its way to the keeper as the batsman tried to duck and Shakib Al Hasan (2) fell soon after being caught at slip off Moeen Ali.
Mushfiq and Mahmudullah continued fluently cracking boundaries when necessary as Bangladesh brought up 200 in the 41st over.
Mahmudullah trickled a single off Stuart Broad to bring up the historic century and enrapturing the crowd.
He, however, went back shortly after leaving it to Mushfiq whose 77-ball innings was laced with eight boundaries and a six.
After Mushfiq went back skying a catch off Broad, Bangladesh ended on 275 for 5.
A win for Bangladesh would seal their place in the quarter-finals. For England, they must win this match to keep alive their hopes for a place in the Last 8.
Earlier, England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and put Bangladesh to bat first.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said he would have anyway opted to bat first had he won the toss.