Bangladesh beat Scotland by six wickets in World Cup

NELSON: Kyle Coetzer's career-best 156 went in vain as Bangladesh scripted a brilliant chase to notch up a comprehensive six-wicket win over Scotland in their pool A ODI match of the Cricket World Cup here today.

Chasing 319 to win, Bangladesh cruised to a seemingly stiff target with 11 balls to spare, riding on four individual fifties by Tamim Iqbal (95), Mahmudullah (62), Mushfiqur Rahim (60) and Shakib Al Hasan (52 not out).

After opener Iqbal and No. 3 batsman Mahmudullah (62) laid the foundation for the chase with a 139-run stand and Rahim provided the support in the middle, it was Hasan, who brought up the win with a four off Iain Wardlaw in the 49th over at the Saxton Oval.

Earlier, opener Kyle Coetzer hammered a career-best 134-ball 156 to power Scotland to 318 for eight but it wasn't enough in the end as Bangladesh chased down the target to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.

For Scotland, Josh Davey took two wickets, while Wardlaw and Alasdair Evans scalped one each.
Chasing 319 to win, Bangladesh lost an early wicket in Soumya Sarkar, who was dismissed by Davey in the second over itself after the pacer induced a faint edge.
However, Iqbal and Mahmudullah produced a brilliant 139-run partnership to recover from the early jolt and keep their chase on track.

Wardlaw broke the partnership in the 24th overs when he disturbed Mahmudullah's stumps with a toe-crushing delivery to reduce Bangladesh to 144 for two.

Iqbal then joined hands with Rahim as the duo brought up the 200 for Bangladesh with a 57-run partnership in 48 balls for the second wicket.

But just then, Iqbal lost his wicket, five runs short of a well-deserved century, when he was trapped in front of the wicket by Davey. Bangladesh called for an review which was turned down.