Mirpur (Dhaka) :India couldn’t celebrate Sachin Tendulkar’s landmark 100th international century as Bangladesh scripted a phenomenal five-wicket win over the World Champions in the fourth ODI of the Asia Cup at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here Friday.
Chasing a stiff target of 289, Bangladesh made 293 for five with four balls to spare after a stunning performance by the top order batsmen.
Tamim Iqbal (70) and Jahurul Islam (53) steadied the Bangladesh innings with their 113-run stand for the second wicket despite losing opening batsman Nazimuddin (5) early in the fifth over.
Nasir Hossain (54), former captain and Man of the Match Shakib al Hasan (49) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (46 not out) played innings of their life as Bangladesh defeated India for the first time since their surprise win in the 2007 World Cup. India pacer Praveen Kumar picked up three for 56.
Bangladesh’s win means India are now in a must-win situation against Pakistan in their next match here slated for Sunday.
It was a poor display by Indian bowlers that allowed the hosts to steal away with an inspiring win and spoil Tendulkar’s party.
Tendulkar’s 114 came from 147 balls and it was studded with 12 fours and a six. Tendulkar was well supported with Virat Kohli (66) and Suresh Raina (51) as India reached 289 for five in 50 overs.
Tendulkar was involved in two crucial partnerships with Kohli and Raina. Tendulkar and Kohli were involved in a 148-run stand for the second wicket that set the foundation of the innings and with Raina the batting maestro added 86 runs for the third wicket.
For Tendulkar it took 370 days to achieve the landmark century. He struck his last century (111) against South Africa during the 2011 World Cup at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, March 12.
Tendulkar’s 147-ball knock was studded with 12 fours and a six. He was determined to get the monkey off his back. Tendulkar took 64 balls to get his 50 in style with a four off spinner Shakib-al-Hasan. He slowed down the pace as he approached 90s and took 19 balls to move from 89 to 100.
Tendulkar finally achieved the century with a single off Shakib in 43.4 overs. Tendulkar failed to control his emotions as the stadium erupted in joy. After completing the single, he looked at his bat and then aimed for the sky to pay tribute to his father. He then took off his helment and kissed the Indian flag before being congratulated by the Bangladesh players and Raina.
Tendulkar and Raina were finally dismissed in consecutive deliveries off fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza in the 47th over.
Bangladesh made a poor start by losing Nazimuddin, but the brilliant partnership between Tamim and Islam brought back the home team on track. The partnership was broken by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja who got rid of Nazimuddin, who hit four fours and a six, caught at mid-wiket by Rohit Sharma.
Jadeja also took a brilliant catch at backward point to dismiss Tamim as Bangladesh were reduced to 128/1 to 156/3.
Hossain and Shakib then changed the course of the match with their brutal hitting as 68 runs came off in eight overs. Shakib’s 31-ball whirlwind knock was studded with five fours and two sixes and he took Bangladesh on the threshold of a win.
Rahim then played a captain’s knock to finish off the task perfectly. His unbeaten 46 came off just 25 balls that also included three fours and three sixes.
IANS
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