Bangladesh win a thriller despite Sachin's 100th ton

Bangladesh 293 for 5 (Tamim 70, Nasir 54, Jahurul 53, Shakib 49, Mushfiqur 46*) beat India 289 for 5 (Tendulkar 114, Kohli 66, Raina 51) by five wickets.

 Minnows Bangladesh recorded a stunning five-wicket victory over formidable India despite a historic century by Sachin Tendulkar in the fourth match of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla national Stadium on Friday.

 Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan delivered an improbable win for Bangladesh that left Sachin Tendulkar's record 100th international century in the shade and threw the Asia Cup wide open. As the focus remained on Tendulkar's achievement for most of the match, Bangladesh did what they had threatened to do in the tournament opener against Pakistan - they showed that they could chase big totals under pressure against Test opposition.  

Bangladesh had asked India to bat knowing that chasing has been easier on the Mirpur pitch in this tournament than batting first. Though the strategy had not worked against Pakistan, India did not have an Umar Gul or a Saeed Ajmal to stop a side hungrier than they were for success. 

Shakib and Mushfiqur did not succumb to the gnawing tension that an asking-rate of above eight runs an over brings. Instead, India's bowlers crumbled against their aggression. Shakib blitzed 49 off 31 deliveries and were it not for a close stumping decision going against him, might have finished the game on his own. 

 With 66 needed off 50 deliveries, Shakib was adjudged stumped off R Ashwin with replays showing enough doubt for the benefit to have gone to the batsman. Mushfiqur, who had said yesterday that India's thin bowling unit gave Bangladesh confidence, slammed 46 off 25 as Bangladesh won with four deliveries left. 

Chasing a difficult target of 290, Bangladesh completed their historic win with four balls to spare to keep alive their hopes of reaching the final.

Main scorers for Bangladesh were Tamim Iqbal (70), Nasir Hossain (54), Jahurul Islam (53), Shakib Al Hasan (49) and Mushfiqur Rahim (46 not out) while Mahmudullah struck the winning boundary.

For India, paceman Praveen Kumar claimed three wickets.

Pakistan have two wins in as many matches, while India and Bangladesh have one victory each after two games. Sri Lanka have lost both of their matches.

Brief scores:

India 289-5 in 50 overs; Bangladesh 293-5 in 49.2 overs.

The day had to be historic, and history was made not only by the Master but also by the hosts, Bangladesh. When the all elusive 100th international ton by Sachin Tendulkar arrived, many would have thought that the fate of the match is sealed. A target of 290 was a steep one; a combined effort from the hosts was the need of the hour.

If Sachin Tendulkar had to wait more than a year for the milestone, Bangladesh ended the wait of defeating India which had gone over five years snatching a thriller at Mirpur. 

 Tendulkar was finally out in the 47th over when he tried to hit Mashrafe Mortaza out of the ground only to edge it to Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps. It certainly wasn't the best of knocks which came with help of 12 boundaries and a six.

With a total of 290 to chase down batting second, Bangladesh had their work cut out. With Sachin Tendulkar spearheading the Indian innings with 137-ball 114 ably supported by Virat Kohli (66) and Raina (51) at the death overs, India would have been happy with the total.
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