Mahmudullah’s second successive century guided Bangladesh to score 288 for 7, the highest score for first time a side has batted 50 overs, against all-win New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup, in their last Pool-A at Hamilton, New Zealand on Friday. On his way to ODI carrier best score, Mahmudullah hammered unbeaten 128 runs off 123 balls featuring 12 fours and three sixes which was his second ODI ton as well as second century for Bangladesh in this World Cup. Meanwhile, Mahmudullah became the second Bangladesh batsman after Shahriar Nafees to hit two ODI centuries in a row. This century of Mahmudullah, however, was faster than his 103 against England in Adelaide, Australia on March 9, when his strike-rated hovered in the mid-70s. This time he started off at the same rate but when reached his 100 off 112 balls and kept rapidly increasing his strike-rate. His three sixes came through a sweep off Daniel Vettori and slogs over square-leg and midwicket off Mitchell McClenaghan and Grant. The first time the co-hosts looked rattled for a prolonged period of time. In the third wicket stand, Mahmudullah pairing with Soumya Sarkar contributed 90 runs in 18 overs, before Soumya’s dismissal at 117 for 3 in 27.4 overs. In the sixth wicket stand, Mahmudullah partnering with Sabbir Rahman again contributed 78 runs in 8 overs, before Sabbir was caught by Brendon McCullum off a Grant Elliott delivery at 260 for 6 in 47.2 overs. Mahmudullah also played two short ones in between with Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Soumya Sarkar made his maiden half-century in this World Cup as well as in the ODI cricket scoring his carrier best 51 runs off 58 balls with seven fours and was caught by Corey Anderson off Daniel Vettori. Sabbir Rahman hammered 40 off 23 scored with five fours and two sixes while pinch-hitter Nasir Hossain added 11 runs off 7 balls with a six, before he was caught by Ross Taylor off Grant Elliott at 287 for 7 in 49.5 overs. Bangladesh stand-in captain all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan scored 23 off 18 balls with three fours and was caught by Luke Ronchi off a Corey Anderson bowling, when scoreboard showing 151 for 4 in 34 overs. Tigers’ Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim (15) was caught by Luke Ronchi off a Corey Anderson, leaving his team at 182 for 5 in 39.2 overs. Earlier, Bangladesh opening pair Tamim Iqbal (13) and Imrul Kayes (2) started carefully, but, failed to cash reasonable runs in consideration of balls consumption as Imrul Kayes was bowled out off a Trent Boult delivery leaving the team’s score of 4 runs in 5.4 overs. Tamim Iqbal was also failed to stay long with Soumya Sarkar as he was was caught by Corey Anderson off Trent Boult delivery at 27 for 2 in 9.4 overs. Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson and Trent Boult grabbed two wickets each for 27, 43 and 56 runs respectively in 2, 10 and 10 overs. Daniel Vettori took one wicket for 42 runs in 10 overs. –UNB, Dhaka.
