Sports Reporter :The Tigers registered a resounding six-wicket victory over Scotland in their crucial Group A match of the ICC World Cup Cricket 2015 at the Saxton Oval in Nelson, New Zealand on Thursday. Chasing Scotland’s fighting total of 318/8, Bangladesh romped home making 322 for the loss of only four wickets when they had 11 balls to spare.It was Bangladesh’s highest score to chase any opponents total in any ODI match. The Tigers achieved that victory amid the cheers of thousands spectators in home and abroad who watched the much-awaited victory on televisions and large screen. Besides, some expatriate spectators of Bangladesh, who are now staying in New Zealand also watched their team’s win. Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman were the notable scorers for Bangladesh.Tamim Iqbal notched up a marvellous 95. His 100-ball knock was decorated with nine fours and a sixer while Mahmudullah Riyad hit a run-a-ball 62 including six boundaries and one over boundary.Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim hammered a windy 60 from 42 balls featuring six fours and two sixes while Shakib Al Hasan hit an unbeaten 52. His 41-ball knock was studded with five fours and a six. Sabbir Rahman remained unbeaten with 42 from 40 balls including four fours and two sixes.It was Mushfiqur Rahim’s 20th ODI half century while Mahmudullah Riyad’s 12th ODI half century.Shakib Al Hasan reached his 28th fifty-run landmark using 41 balls.Bangladesh faced an early debacle when opener Soumya Sarkar was caught behind by wicketkeeper MH Cross off JH Davey for just two runs when Bangladesh’s score was five for the loss of one wicket.Later, dashing opener Tamim Iqbal and one-down Mahmudullah Riyad rescued their team from danger contributing together 139 runs for the second wicket stand before Mahmudullah Riyad was cleanly bowled out by I Wardlaw when Bangladesh’s total was 144 for the loss of two wickets.After dismissal of Mahmudullah Riyad, Tamim Iqbal and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim paved their path smooth adding together 57 runs for the third wicket partnership before Tamim Iqbal was trapped leg before wicket by JH Davey when the team’s score was 201 for the loss of three wickets.Iqbal was the second Bangladesh batsman, who crossed 4000-run landmark in ODI cricket. Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan crossed the 4000-run landmark. Tamim scored 4085 runs playing 138 ODI matches. It was Tamim Iqbal’s 28th ODI half century.After departure of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan put on together 46 runs for the fourth wicket stand before Mushfiqur Rahim was caught at the long-on by CS Macleod off AC Evans when Bangladesh’s score was 247 for the loss of four wickets.After dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman contributed 75 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership and helped their team to reach the victory target.Earlier, opener KJ Coetzer hit a respectable 156 from 134 balls amid 17 boundaries and four over boundaries. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his spectacular innings. PL Mommsen, MW Machan and RD Berrington added 39, 35 and 26 runs to the Scotland total.Promising pacer Taskin Ahmed was the peak of Bangladesh bowlers. He grabbed three wickets at the cost of 43 runs.Nasir Hossain bagged a pair of wickets instead of 32 runs while Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took one wicket each for 46, 47 and 60 runs respectively.
