Mushfiqur’s ton in vain as Bangladesh concede 3rd loss

Despite posting their highest-ever score in ODI, Bangladesh suffered their third loss in the ongoing ICC World Cup at Trent Bridge on Thursday as they tumbled for 333/8 against Australia while chasing a massive total of 381 runs. 

David Warner was the man of the match for this cracking 166 runs which struck after surviving at 10 when Sabbir Rahman missed a catch at point.

This loss has made Bangladesh’s task for the semi-finals a tougher one. They are now left with no other option but to win the last three matches of the event.

Tamim Iqbal (62) and Mahmudullah Riyad (69) hit fifties, but their efforts went in vain as the target was too tough to reach for the Tigers. 

Bangladesh started the chase on a negative manner as they lost their first wicket by dint of run-out while Tamim called Soumya Sarkar for a quick single and later he refused to do so, but Soumya failed to return to the crease as Aaron Finch’s broke the stump with a great direct hit. 

Soumya returned to the dressing room for 10 off eight balls. Bangladesh never recovered from this position.

Shakib Al Hasan (41) also tried his best but he was not too good this time around. 

Bangladesh added 127 runs in the fifth wicket stand comprising Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah. Bangladesh’s hope was there as long as this pair was in the middle. But Mahmudullah’s dismissal was the end of Bangladesh’s chance from this match. 

However, Mushfiqur kept the score afloat and scored his first World Cup century off 95 balls with nine fours and one six. 

Eventually, Bangladesh ended up on 333 for eight. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 102 off 97 deliveries. 

This is Bangladesh’s highest-ever score in ODI. Their previous highest score was 330 made against South Africa in their first World Cup encounter on June 2 last.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Marcus Stoinis took two wickets each. 

Earlier, Australia posted a massive total of 381 for five with the help of Warner’s cracking 166 off 147 balls. Along with him, Aaron Finch (53) and Usman Khawaja (89) contributed with the bat well. 

Australia managed a brisk start as their openers laid down a solid platform at the start of their innings adding 100 runs in just 100 balls. Along the way, Warner hit fifty off 55 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Bangladesh missed the service of Mohammad Saifuddin who had been doing well but a back injury forced him out of the action. Rubel Hossain was named in the playing XI to replace him. But the right-arm pacer failed to manage an early breakthrough.

So were the other bowlers as Mashrafe Bin Mortaza conceded 31 runs in his first six overs, Mustafizur Rahman gave away 21 runs in his first four overs and Shakib Al Hasan conceded 24 runs in his first three overs. 

Bangladesh’s bowling attack did not find a way to stop Australian batters. Soumya Sarkar broke the first wicket stand after they have put 121 runs. But that did not help the Tigers much as in the second wicket stand, they added more 192 runs with just in 141 balls, which now the best partnership in this World Cup so far. 

Eventually, Australia ended up scoring 381 runs for five wickets in 50 overs. 

For Bangladesh, Soumy took three wickets for 58 runs in eight overs while Mustafiuzr Rahman bagged one wicket. 

Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan on June 24 while Australia will lock horns against England on June 25.

Source: unb