Tigers go down fighting to India


FE Desk | Published: July 03, 2019 09:16:33 | Updated: July 05, 2019 10:56:59


Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, centre, bats during the Cricket World Cup match between Bangladesh and India at Birmingham's Edgbaston, England on Tuesday, July 2 — AP photo

Bangladesh went down fighting against mighty opponents India in the World Cup group stage match at Edgbaston in England on Tuesday.

They lost the match by 28 runs chasing a target of 315 and that ended the Tigers' dream of joining the last four of the World Cup.

After Shakib Al Hasan's heroics (66 off 74), the late blitz by tail-enders Mohammad Shaifuddin (51 not out off just 38 balls) and Sabbir Rahman (36 off 36) rekindled the Tigers' hopes. But after the loss of Sabbir's wicket, Shaifuddin struggled to find a perfect match.

Finally the innings ended at 286.

India's Rohit Sharma was adjudged player of the match. Rohit Sharma's attacking 102 gave India the platform to make a huge score but a clatter of late wickets and some canny bowling restricted them to 314 for nine in their 50 overs.

The opener survived an early scare to make 104 and take control against the Bangladesh bowlers after India elected to bat first with their eye on confirming a semi-final spot.

Sharma and opening partner KL Rahul put on 180 runs -- the highest stand for the first wicket in the tournament -- to get India off to a flying start.

But Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman claimed five wickets, including the prized scalp of skipper Virat Kohli for 26, to check India's surge and keep them in the game.

Mustafizur returned figures of 5-59 in his 10 overs.

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