Opener Anamul Haque hit his second career ODI ton and late blaze came from the bat of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan saw Bangladesh to pile up their highest ODI total of 326 for 3 from their allotted 50 overs against Pakistan in the Arise Asia Cup being held on Tuesday.
Thanks to Anamul Haque and Imrul Kayes for their solid start and first down Mominul Haque for his brilliant half century that made the task easy for the rests to amassed for a highest ODI total almost jump-packed at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The Tigers previous highest total was 320 for 8 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2009.
Batting first after winning the toss, the two openers Anamul Haque and Imrul Kayes gave Bangladesh a flying start contributing 150 runs for the opening stand. The 21-year old lad and also occasional wicket-keeper Anamul, who scored his carrier second ODI in this match, played an impressive 100 runs off 132 balls hitting six boundaries and four over boundaries before he gave a simple catch to Ahmed Shehzad off Saeed Ajmal delivery.
Another opener Imrul Kayes looked comfortable with the bat again paired another 54 runs partnership with first down Mominul Haque to take Bangladesh to a strong position.
The left handed batsman Kayes, who hit his tenth career ODI half century, scored a polish 59 runs off 75 balls that studded with five boundaries and two over boundaries before he was caught behind by Umar Akmal off Mohammad Talha delivery.
First down Mominul was also played an aggressive 51 runs off 47 balls with the help of six boundaries before he gave a catch to Mohammad Hafeez off Saeed Ajmal delivery.
Later skipper Mushfiqur Rahim taking with Shakib Al Hasan added another unbeaten 77 runs partnership for the fourth wicket stand that took Bangladesh past over three hundred land mark.
Mushfiq played 51 runs off 33 balls smacking eight boundaries while Shakib, who returned to the squad after three match suspension, was more aggressive with bat as he cracked six boundaries and two over boundaries during his 44-run off 16-ball stay on the crease.
Pakistani bowling sensation Saeed Ajmal was the most successful bowler for taking two wickets for 61 runs. He was well supported by Mohammad Talha who took one wicket giving away 68 runs.
