Mushfiqur Rahim’s career best 117 off 113 balls went in vain as India claimed an easy six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Asia Cup opening match at Fatullah on Wednesday.
Led by stand-in captain Virat Kohli, who also scored a century, India made light work of Bangladesh’s bowling to reach 280-4 with six balls in hand after Mushfiq’s second one-day international century took the Tigers to 279-7.
Bangladesh’s spinners failed to make an impact under the floodlights, with dew on the field making things more difficult for them.
Two wickets from Abdur Razzak and Ziaur Rahman in back-to-back overs only gave them a false sense of hope, as Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane made the chase look ridiculously simple with their 213-run third-wicket stand.
Kohli, easily India’s best batsman in the post-Tendulkar era, made 136 off 122 balls to end India’s dismal run in one-day international cricket.
The Indians were winless in their last eight one-dayers, spanning their tours of South Africa and New Zealand, which had cast further doubt on their ability to win matches in alien conditions.
However, with familiar conditions in Bangladesh, they were expected to turn the things around and they did not waste the opportunity despite another failure from openers Rohit Sharma (21) and Shikhar Dhawan (28).
Rahane made 73 to support his skipper Kohli, who stepped into the role after regular captain MS Dhoni was ruled out of the tournament with a side strain.
Bangladesh, however, had two chances to break their partnership, but Rubel Hossain dropped Kohli off Sohag Gazi on 37 and Mominul put down a catch from Rahane off Rubel with the batsman on 51.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiq ensured that India would not get a small target to chase with his splendid innings, a fitting reward for his consistent batting in the preceding series against Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh lost the Sri Lanka series 3-0, but Mushfiq showed some class in all three games, indicating that a big innings was just around the corner.
Even a nasty blow from Varun Aaron could not prevent him from getting it on Wednesday.
Aaron floored Mushfiq with a beamer when he was on 80, but the diminutive wicketkeeper stood back up to complete his second ODI century and stay in till the last over of the innings, something that top-order Bangladeshi batsmen often struggle to do.
By the time he was caught by Rohit Sharma off Mohammed Shami in 50th over, Mushfiq bettered Alok Kapali’s 115 runs for the highest score by a Bangladeshi batsman against India.
Mushfiq, who smashed just seven fours and two sixes and mostly preferred singles and doubles, put on 133 runs with Anamul Haque for the third wicket, setting the best partnership for any wicket by a Bangladeshi pair against India.
Anamul also promised a big innings before he dragged an Aaron delivery onto his stumps during the batting powerplay to depart for 77.
The wicket was one big consolation for Aaron, who conceded 74 runs in 7.5 overs before he was taken off for bowling his second waist-height full toss, which hit Mushfiq in his ribcage.
Bangladesh, who have often lost their way during batting powerplays, this time scored 46 runs for the loss of Anamul’s wicket.
The last few overs, however, did not go the way they had planned, as Indian swing bowler Mohammad Shami showed some bowling prowess to claim three wickets in his last spell to finish with 4-50.
-With New Age input
