Bangladesh shelves Pakistan tour

Updated December 31, 2012 21:10:08

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cancelled plans to become the first cricket team to tour Pakistan since a 2009 attack on Sri Lanka's bus, saying there are fears for players' safety.

The BCB had earlier indicated that they would play a Twenty20 and a one-day on January 12 and 13 respectively, both in Lahore. But officials did say that the decision was subject to a security review.

Pakistan has had to play its 'home' matches in venues ranging from Dubai to London ever since gunmen shot dead eight people and wounded seven Sri Lankan players in an audacious attack near the stadium in Lahore in March 2009.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, bangladesh

First posted December 31, 2012 21:10:08

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Samuels lifts West Indies to win over Bangladesh

Updated December 11, 2012 07:23:48

Explosive batting from Marlon Samuels lifted the World Twenty20 champions West Indies to an 18-run win over Bangladesh in a high-scoring match at Shere Bangla stadium on Tuesday morning.

Samuels hit a 43-ball 85 not out to steer the champions to 4 for 197 in their 20 overs.

While there was some blistering hitting from Bangladesh's openers, it only managed to reach 1 for 179 in reply.

Samuels's strong performance peaked at the end of the West Indies innings when he hit 29 runs in their final over, which included three sixes and a four.

He narrowly escaped being caught twice, with the catch missed both times by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim off paceman Ziaur Rahman.

Rubel Hossain was threatening at the outset as he dismissed Chris Gayle in the third over for 6 and then had Dwayne Smith (24) in his next.

Darren Bravo also batted impressively for the West Indies, hitting two sixes and five boundaries during his rapid 28-ball 41 before he was stumped by Rahim off Sohag Gazi.

Kieron Pollard (15) and Lendl Simmons (18 not out) added to Samuels's big score, as the tourists added 75 runs in the final five overs.

Bangladesh's openers were strong, with Tamim Iqbal hitting a 61-ball 88 and Mohammad Mahmudullah making 64.

But the West Indies' quality spin bowling proved too much for them, with Chris Gayle conceding just 18 runs in his four overs and Samuels conceding 32.

Bangladesh notched up 17 runs in each of the first and third overs. But following Anamul Haque's dismissal for a 12-ball 22, the West Indies' spinners managed to limit its score.

Iqbal hit 10 boundaries and two sixes during his knock while Mahmudullah notched up four sixes and three fours.

The defeat came after Bangladesh clinched the preceding five-match one-day series 3-2 on Saturday.

AFP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, bangladesh, jamaica

First posted December 11, 2012 07:13:19

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Bangladesh edges West Indies for series win

Updated December 09, 2012 07:09:54

A spirited Bangladesh led by all-rounder Mohammad Mahmudullah edged out the West Indies in the fifth and final one-day by two wickets in Dhaka on Sunday morning (AEDT), taking the series 3-2.

Mahmudullah took 2 for 38 to help the home team bowl the tourists out for 217 in 48 overs and then scored a polished 48 to help Bangladesh chase down the target for the loss of eight wickets with six overs to spare.

Bangladesh won the first match by seven wickets and the second by 160 runs - both in Khulna. The West Indies levelled the series with a four wicket win in the third and 75 runs in the fourth.

Both teams will now play a Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Monday.

It was Mahmudullah and captain Mushfiqur Rahim (44) who set the home team on the victory path through their 91-run stand for the fourth wicket after paceman Kemar Roach (5 for 56) had derailed the hosts in the early overs.

Roach struck thrice in his first five overs, removing Tamim Iqbal (8), Anamul Haque (0) and Jahurul Islam (10) to leave the home team in disarray at 3 for 30.

Mahmudullah hit seven boundaries in his 45-ball knock while Rahim smacked as many boundaries in his 56-ball knock.

But the West Indies staged a comeback through Sunil Narine (3 for 38) as the spinner removed both the batsmen in the space of 12 runs.

Nasir Hossain (39 not out) and Mominul Haque (25) added 53 for the sixth wicket as Bangladesh survived a late order slump to reach the target. Nasir hit Andre Russell for the winning boundary to send the packed crowd into jubilation.

Rahim was delighted with the series win.

"Boys stuck to the task, we knew it will be the test of nerves and happy to execute our plans and win the series," said Rahim.

"We did not bat well in the last two matches so we needed to do the right things in all three departments.

"I thought today we did a good job after losing the first three wickets. It's a good sign for us."

West Indian captain Darren Sammy praised Bangladesh.

"Congratulations to Bangladesh, they played well," said Sammy.

"We were in a good position to score 240 but we did not get there. We have had a good year but this might put a dent on our Christmas.

"But everything happens for a reason and hope to improve."

Earlier, Kieron Pollard hit a return to form with a robust 74-ball 85 and Darren Bravo notched a sedate 108-ball 51 during their 132-run fourth wicket stand to lift the tourists to 217 after they were put into bat.

Bangladesh had removed Kieran Powell (11), Marlon Samuels (1) and Chris Gayle (2) by the eight over.

Paceman Shafiul Islam, who replaced injured Mashrafe Mortaza in the squad, dismissed Gayle for a fifth failure in as many matches to finish with 3 for 31 in his nine overs.

Pollard, who like Gayle was a big flop in the last four matches, hit a six for his first scoring shot as he batted with aggression. He hit five boundaries and eight towering sixes to take the attack to the Bangladeshi bowlers.

He was finally dismissed in the 32nd over, bowled by spinner Haque. The Pollard-Bravo stand for the fourth wicket is a new record in all West Indies-Bangladesh one-dayers, beating the 92-run stand between Jimmy Adams and Shivnarine Chanderpaul in Dhaka in 1999.

Bravo hit three boundaries and a six before he was caught off Mahmudullah who finished with 2 for 38.

Devon Thomas chipped in with a useful 25 to take the West Indies past the 200-run mark.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, bangladesh, jamaica

First posted December 09, 2012 07:02:00

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Pakistan blast Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

Updated September 26, 2012 05:59:20

Pakistan bludgeoned Bangladesh out of the World Twenty20 and successfully reached the Super Eights round with a ruthless batting display.

Imran Nazir's brilliant 72 and skipper Mohammad Hafeez's 45 helped take Pakistan past Bangladesh's challenging 6 for 175 in Pallekele, after already overhauling the target needed to go through on net run-rate.

Shakib Al Hasan had smashed a record 84 for Bangladesh, who needed to win by 36 runs to go through, raising the prospect of a shock upset against the former champions.

But those hopes were quickly dashed by opener Nazir's career-best knock, including nine boundaries and three sixes in 36 balls, which made up the bulk of Pakistan's 124 for the opening wicket with Hafeez.

Even when both fell in one Abul Hasan over, Nasir Jamshed (29 not out) and Kamran Akmal (22 not out) ensured the win was achieved with eight balls to spare as Pakistan wrapped it up with 2 for 178, joining New Zealand in the next round.

"It's a great team effort, the boys have shown the right attitude so far in this tournament," said Hafeez.

"Our bowlers tried well but there is a little bit of a concern about the fast bowlers, still I am very happy as captain because the team are responding to me," said Hafeez, whose pace trio conceded 93 in nine overs.

Rahim was happy with Bangladesh's efforts in a high-pressure situation.

"The pressure was on us but Hasan played very well. We can take some positives out of this and go home and work on a few things," said Rahim.

After Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat, left-hander Hasan hit his second Twenty20 fifty and added 68 runs for the third wicket with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (25).

Hasan, whose previous Twenty20 best of 57 came against Ireland at Belfast earlier this year, smashed 11 boundaries and two sixes during his 54-ball knock, improving Nazimuddin's previous best of 81, against Pakistan at Nairobi in 2007.

Opener Tamim Iqbal hit five boundaries in his 12-ball 24 before he was unfortunately run out. It was Hasan who punished every Pakistani bowler, with Umar Gul going for 43 runs in his three overs.

Pakistan were sloppy in the field, with Sohail Tanveer dropping a sitter off Rahim and Shahid Afridi failing to hold on to a sharp chance off Hasan - both in one over by Yasir Arafat, who was best bowler with 3 for 25.

The Super Eights, which decide the semi-finalists, start in Pallekele on Thursday, with Sri Lanka taking on New Zealand and England playing the West Indies in Group One.

Pakistan, India, South Africa and Australia are in a highly competitive Group Two, highlighted by the fact that all four teams are unbeaten so far.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, pakistan, bangladesh

First posted September 26, 2012 05:59:20

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Law to quit as Bangladesh coach

Updated April 16, 2012 20:13:12

Former Australian cricketer Stuart Law will step down as Bangladesh coach in June, citing family reasons for his surprise decision to quit one year into a two-year contract.

His announcement came a day after the Bangladesh cricket board said it planned a short tour later this month to Pakistan, where international cricket has been suspended since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009.

"My resignation is purely for family reasons," the 43-year-old told reporters in Dhaka, insisting that security concerns had not been a factor.

"It has nothing to do with the Pakistan tour," he said, adding that he would complete a year on the job in June before heading to Australia to join his family.

He declined to confirm whether he would travel with the national team which will play a solitary one-dayer on April 29 and a Twenty20 international the next day - both in Lahore.

Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said Law should go to Pakistan.

"The coach is part of the team and he should travel with the team," Yunus said.

The 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore left eight people dead and seven visiting players and their assistant coach wounded.

Pakistan's government has promised fool-proof security for the Bangladesh team for the two matches in Lahore.

Law's finest moment as coach came last month when Bangladesh defeated India and Sri Lanka on way to the Asia Cup final in Dhaka, which it lost to Pakistan.

Law, who played one Test and 54 one-day internationals for Australia, had also served as an assistant coach for Sri Lanka under Trevor Bayliss.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, bangladesh

First posted April 16, 2012 20:13:12

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Pakistan spins out Bangladesh in one-day whitewash

Updated December 07, 2011 07:20:02

Pakistan's spinners revelled in helpful conditions to crush Bangladesh by 58 runs in the third and final one-day international on Tuesday to win the series 3-0.

The tourists, bowled out for a modest 177, hit back to dismiss Bangladesh for 119 on a wicket that turned and bounced at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in the port city of Chittagong.

Shoaib Malik marked his 200th one-day appearance with 3 for 6 in four overs and fellow off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez picked up 3 for 27 as the Tigers were shot out in 38 overs.

It was Pakistan's 28th win in 29 one-dayers against Bangladesh, boosting the confidence of Misbah-ul-Haq's men ahead of the two-Test series starting on Friday.

The match was interrupted for 20 minutes in the second session when the floodlights went off, plunging the entire stadium in total darkness.

Bangladesh was sailing smoothly at 1 for 69 in the 20th over when five wickets crashed for 14 runs to allow Pakistan to bounce back in the match.

Bangladesh lost opener Tamim Iqbal off the first ball of the innings, bowled by Hafeez, before Shahriar Nafees and Mohammad Mahmudullah put on 69 for the second wicket.

The home team lost Nafees (25), skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (0) and Mahmudullah (35) in the space of three runs - all lbw to the spinners - to slide to 4 for 72 by the 22nd over.

Hafeez took a return catch of Shakib Al Hasan in his final over before Nasir Hossain, who scored a century in the last match, was caught off Abdur Rehman for 3.

Farhad Reza and Alok Kapali delayed the end with a seventh-wicket stand of 34, before Malik polished off the tail to complete his team's emphatic win.

Earlier, Bangladesh spinners Abdur Razzak and Mahmudullah shared six wickets to bowl Pakistan out cheaply.

Left-armer Razzak claimed 3 for 21 in 10 overs and off-spinner Mahmudullah grabbed three wickets in seven balls as Pakistan folded in 46.1 overs.

Umar Akmal top-scored with 57 and Misbah made 47, the pair adding 94 for the fourth wicket after Pakistan was reduced to 3 for 39 by the 12th over.

Pakistan made a shaky start, failing to score off the first 15 deliveries after Hafeez was caught in the covers from the fourth ball of the innings.

Misbah and Akmal stayed together till the 36th over to rebuild the innings before Razzak struck twice in his eighth over.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, bangladesh, pakistan

First posted December 07, 2011 07:10:55

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Afridi hands Pakistan win over Bangladesh

Updated December 02, 2011 07:39:25

Shahid Afridi grabbed five wickets for 23 runs and then kept his cool in a batting crisis as Pakistan overcame Bangladesh by five wickets in the first one-day international in Dhaka on Friday morning.

The leg-spinner ripped through the Bangladesh line-up as the hosts were bowled out for 91 after electing to bat at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium - with seven batsmen failing to reach double figures.

Pakistan lost five wickets chasing the modest target which was eventually overhauled in the 26th over to give the tourists the lead in the three-match series.

Seamer Rubel Hossain and spinner Shakib Al Hasan claimed two wickets apiece to leave Pakistan struggling at 5 for 63, before Afridi took his team home with an unbeaten 24 off 23 balls.

As the runs dried up on the turning wicket, Afridi broke free with three successive fours off Shakib and then cut the same bowler for another boundary to win the game.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq made 16 not out, sharing a match-winning stand of 30 with Afridi.

It was Pakistan's 26th win in 27 one-dayers against Bangladesh, the lone defeat having come during the 1999 World Cup in England.

Bangladesh, who lost half the side for 31 runs on the slow wicket, was dismissed in 30.3 overs and barely managed to surpass its lowest one-day total against Pakistan of 87.

Wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed picked up four catches as the four Pakistani spinners shared eight of the 10 wickets.

Bangladesh's batting never recovered after losing opener Tamim Iqbal with the fourth ball of the innings, trapped leg-before by off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez.

Seamer Umar Gul, who shared the new ball with the spinner, struck in his third over when he forced Naeem Islam to edge a catch to Misbah in the slips.

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was caught behind off Shoaib Malik for 11, before Afridi grabbed two wickets in one over to reduce the Tigers to 5 for 31.

Afridi had opener Shahriar Nafees caught at backward point by Malik and then saw Mohammad Mahmudullah edge a catch to Sarfraz three balls later.

Nasir Hossain and Shakib put on 36 for the sixth wicket to ensure Bangladesh surpassed its lowest ever one-day total of 58 - against the West Indies at the same venue during the World Cup in March.

Nasir made 21 with two boundaries when he top-edged a catch off Aizaz Cheema, while Shakib became Afridi's third victim after scoring 15.

Last man Rubel Hossain hit an unbeaten 15 before Afridi claimed the final two wickets to terminate the innings.

The second one-dayer will be played at the same venue on Saturday.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, bangladesh, pakistan

First posted December 02, 2011 07:25:57

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Dominant Pakistan wins Bangladesh series

Updated December 04, 2011 07:54:59

Ruthless Pakistan drubbed Bangladesh by 76 runs in the second one-day international in Dhaka on Sunday morning to take a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Umar Akmal scored 59 and Shahid Afridi hit 42 off 27 balls as Pakistan piled up 7 for 262 after it won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night match at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

The total proved beyond Bangladesh's reach after it was reduced to 4 for 19 in the 10th over, and managed only 7 for 186 despite a maiden international century from Nasir Hossain.

Nasir cracked 100 and Shakib Al Hasan made 34, the pair sharing a fifth-wicket stand of 106 runs, but Bangladesh was never in the hunt against the tight Pakistani bowling.

The 20-year-old Nasir, playing only his ninth one-dayer, plundered 11 boundaries and a six before he was dismissed in the final over.

Seamer Umar Gul finished with 4 for 36, while off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez conceded just 15 runs in his 10 overs with two wickets.

Pakistan's 27th win over the Tigers in 28 one-dayers has left only academic interest in the third and final match to be played in the port city of Chittagong on Tuesday.

The tourists had won the Twenty20 international by 50 runs and the first one-dayer by five wickets at the same venue.

The one-dayers will be followed by two Test matches.

Hafeez, who opened Pakistan's attack, removed Imrul Kayes and Shahriar Nafees in successive overs after Gul had dismissed the aggressive Tamim Iqbal in his second over.

Gul also had Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim caught at gully, before Nasir and Shakib delayed the inevitable with their century partnership.

Pakistan's innings revolved around a fourth-wicket stand of 83 between Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq (37), before Afridi smashed two sixes and three boundaries towards the end to boost the total.

Hafeez (32) and Younis Khan (37) put on 57 for the second wicket after opener Imran Farhat had fallen in the third over.

Akmal lifted the tempo by reaching his 11th one-day half-century off 49 balls, steering seamer Rubel Hossain to the third-man fence.

The 21-year-old fell in the next over, the 39th of the innings, when he holed out in the deep off Shakib to make Pakistan 4 for 176.

It soon became 5 for 193 as one-day debutant Elias Sunny picked up his first wicket when he had Misbah caught in the deep in the 42nd over.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, bangladesh, pakistan

First posted December 04, 2011 07:50:35

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Hussey scores ton against Bangladesh

Published: 14/04/2011 06:07:32

Australia's Michael Hussey celebrates after bringing up his century in the one-day international against Bangladesh at in Dhaka on April 13, 2011.

Australia's Michael Hussey celebrates after bringing up his century in the one-day international against Bangladesh at in Dhaka on April 13, 2011

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Hussey scores ton against Bangladesh

Published: 14/04/2011 06:07:32

Australia's Michael Hussey celebrates after bringing up his century in the one-day international against Bangladesh at in Dhaka on April 13, 2011.

Australia's Michael Hussey celebrates after bringing up his century in the one-day international against Bangladesh at in Dhaka on April 13, 2011

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Hussey ton buries Bangladesh

Updated April 14, 2011 06:19:00

Michael Hussey scored his first one-day century in four years to help Australia complete a 3-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh with a 66-run win in the third and final match in Dhaka.

The middle-order batsman cracked two sixes and nine fours in a 91-ball 108 for his third one-day hundred, and his first since February 2007, as Australia posted a huge 8 for 361 in the day-night match.

Bangladesh made a bold reply before finishing at 6 for 295 with an impressive 93 from opener Imrul Kayes, who hit two sixes and 10 fours in his 95-ball knock.

Kayes batted confidently against both pace and spin and looked set to complete his second one-day century before being caught behind off debutant paceman James Pattinson.

He put on 136 for the second wicket with Shahriar Nafees, who made 60 for his second successive half-century. Mohammad Mahmudullah was the other notable contributor with an unbeaten 68.

Australia virtually wrapped up the match when all-rounder Shane Watson dismissed skipper Shakib Al Hasan (9) and Mushfiqur Rahim (1) in one over.

"It was a good series and an outstanding effort from the boys. As a captain I need to keep learning," said Australian skipper Michael Clarke, leading in his first one-day series after being named captain last month.

"Watson is enjoying his batting and also doing the job with the ball."

A disappointed Shakib said: "We batted really well and executed our plans, but we haven't bowled well in three games. It's a learning process and we will learn from it."

Man-of-the-series Watson, who hit a record 15 sixes in his career-best 185 not out in the previous match on Monday, earlier put Australia on course for a big total with a 40-ball 72 which contained three sixes and 11 fours.

Man-of-the-match Hussey was then involved in two useful stands, adding 89 for the fourth wicket with Clarke (47) and 70 for the sixth wicket with Mitchell Johnson, who hammered 41 off just 24 balls.

Hussey fell in the last over, trapped lbw by seamer Shafiul Islam, but not before boosting his team's chances of sweeping the series.

Australia got off to an explosive start after winning the toss as Watson and makeshift opener Ricky Ponting (47) added 110 runs for the opening wicket in just 11.5 overs.

Watson began aggressively, hitting Shafiul for four boundaries in an over early in his innings before pulling left-arm spinner Shakib over mid-wicket for a six to reach his half-century.

The Australian opener, who completed his fifty off just 25 balls with the help of two sixes and nine fours, was bowled in the 12th over while attempting to sweep left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak.

Ponting also played attractive shots during his 50-ball knock, hitting two fours and a six from a Mashrafe Mortaza over. He looked well set before being trapped lbw by Razzak.

Razzak finished with 3 for 58 and Mortaza with 3 for 80.

-AFP

First posted April 14, 2011 06:01:00

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Bangladesh axes coach Siddons

Posted April 13, 2011 05:07:00

Bangladesh has shown the door to its Australian coach Jamie Siddons, after the national team failed to make it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

"It has been agreed that head coach Jamie Siddons' contract, which expires on June 30, will not be extended," the Bangladesh Cricket Board said in a press statement.

"We are really appreciative of Jamie's contribution over the last four years and the successes he has had with the national team.

"However, we feel the time is right to ring in changes in the team management and support staff."

Bangladesh, which co-hosted the World Cup along with India and Sri Lanka, made an early exit from the showpiece event, going down to huge defeats to India, West Indies and South Africa in the league stages.

Australian-born Siddons took charge of Bangladesh in November 2007.

Bangladesh has also lost the first two one-dayers of an ongoing three-match series against Australia to concede an unbeatable 2-0 lead.

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

-AFP

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Watson hits Bangladesh for six

Published:Tuesday, April 12, 2011 7:17 AESTExpires:Monday, July 11, 2011 7:17 AEST

Shane Watson struck a world-record 15 sixes in an unbeaten 185 as Australia beat Bangladesh.

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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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Awesome Watson thumps Bangladesh

Updated April 11, 2011 21:05:00

Shane Watson smashed a record 15 sixes in a career-best 185 not out as Australia clinched the three-match series against Bangladesh with a nine-wicket win in the second one-dayer on Monday.

The explosive opener gave a superb display of power-hitting as he also cracked 15 fours in his 96-ball knock to help Australia achieve a 230-run target with 24 overs to spare for an unbeatable 2-0 lead.

West Indies' Xavier Marshall was the previous record-holder with 12 sixes against Canada in 2008.

Watson's knock was also the highest by an Australian in one-day internationals, the previous best being 181 not out by Matthew Hayden.

Watson completed his sixth one-day hundred off just 69 balls, the third-fastest by an Australia after Hayden (66 balls) and Adam Gilchrist (67 balls).

Watson looked in excellent touch from the beginning, hammering three fours in the opening over bowled by Shafiul Islam.

He raced to his half-century off just 26 balls with the help of four sixes and five boundaries.

He then reduced Bangladesh's bowlers and fielders to a state of helplessness with his onslaught, once hitting four sixes in an over from left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo.

Watson dominated an unfinished 170-run stand for the second wicket with former captain Ricky Ponting, who contributed an unbeaten 37.

Bangladesh was earlier struggling at 5 for 88 before crossing the 200-mark, thanks to wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim's unbeaten 81 off 80 balls which contained 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 major 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).

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 nine runs and then dismissed well-set Nafees to send the hosts reeling at 5 for 88.

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

- AFP

First posted April 11, 2011 19:44:00

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