Bangladesh set India 308-run target

Mirpur (Bangladesh), June 19: Bangladesh put up a gritty batting display to post a strong 307 runs against India in their first One-Day International (ODI) here on Thursday.

Openers Taim Iqbal (60) and Soumya Sarkar (54) and middle-order batters Shakib Al Hasan (52) and Sabbir Rahman (41) contributed richly for the hosts to put up a challenging target for their more fancied opponents at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

India's premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the most successful bowler with 3/51 in his stipulated 10 overs. Pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/37) and Umesh Yadav (2/58) were also among the wickets as India bowled out the home team in 49.4 overs.

The home team got a rollicking start to their innings and reached 119/1 in 15.4 overs after Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and decided to bat before rain could halt the proceedings.

Openers Taim Iqbal (60) and Soumya Sarkar (54) punished the Indian bowlers from the very beginning and put the home team in a strong position.

They put together a 100-run partnership in only 79 balls.

But just when they threatened to take the match away from India, their momentum was broken when Das was run out after getting involved in a mix-up with his partner.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck for India with three quick wickets and reduced Bangladesh to 147 for four in 24 overs after rain held up the game for about an hour. 

Tamim suffered a lapse in concentration following the break and lofted Ashwin straight down to Rohit Sharma at long-off. His 62-ball innings contained seven fours and a six. 

Ashwin trapped debutant Litton Das (8) in front before Mushfiqur Rahim (14) holed out to Sharma at long-on.

But Bangladesh recovered from that mini collapse to reach 200 in 34.1 overs riding on a timely 83-run fifth-wicket partnership from Shakib Al Hasan (52) and Sabbir Rahman (41).

Left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (1/48) finally broke that partnership in the 38th over.

But the Indian bowlers were unable to restrict the smooth run flow with Shakib scoring his 29th ODI fifty. Shakib ultimately perished in the 44th over but not before setting up his team for a strong total.