Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Rahim rallies Bangladesh with unbeaten 81

Posted April 11, 2011 18:07:00

Mushfiqur Rahim cracked a brisk half-century as Bangladesh recovered from early blows to post a competitive 7 for 229 in the second one-day international against Australia on Monday.


Bangladesh, electing to bat after winning the toss, was struggling at 5 for 88 before wicketkeeper-batsman Rahim hit an 80-ball 81 not out with the help of one six and nine fours.


Rahim's best came in the closing stages of the innings when he smashed two fours and a six off successive deliveries from paceman Brett Lee before hitting two boundaries in seamer Mitchell Johnson's last over.


He played a key role in steadying the innings after Johnson (3 for 54) and leg-spinner Steven Smith (2 for 34) had put the hosts in trouble, adding 79 for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Mahmudullah (38).


Australia leads 1-0 in the three-match series following its 60-run win in the opening match in Dhaka on Saturday.


Shahriar Nafees was the only top-order batsman to offer resistance, scoring 56 off 73 balls with six fours. He fell after completing his 12th half-century in one-dayers, offering a simple return catch to Smith.


Johnson did the early damage when he removed openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes before paceman John Hastings accounted for Raqibul Hasan to reduce the hosts to 3 for 28 in the opening 12 overs.


Smith bowled skipper Shakib Al Hasan for 9 and then dismissed well-set Nafees to send the hosts reeling at 5 for 88.


Australia brought in Callum Ferguson in place of Cameron White for the only change from the side that played in the previous match, while Bangladesh replaced paceman Mashrafe Mortaza with Rubel Hossain.


The final one-dayer will be played in Dhaka on Wednesday.


- AFP



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