NELSON, New Zealand — Tamim Iqbal scored 95 to steer Bangladesh's largest successful run chase in One-Day International cricket as it beat Scotland by six wickets to keep alive its quarterfinal chances at the World Cup. Scotland set Bangladesh 319 to win Thursday after posting 318-8, an innings built around a record-breaking 156 of opener Kyle Coetzer. Iqbal's innings of 95 from 100 balls, which was the highest by a Bangladesh batsman in a World Cup match, and his partnership of 139 with Mohammad Mahmudullah (62) established the strong pace that was necessary for Bangladesh to achieve its target with 11 balls to spare.
Iqbal was out in the 32nd over when Bangladesh was 201-3, leaving a lot of work still to do, but he had cleared the way: Bangladesh was 191-2 after 30 overs where Scotland had been 152-3.
Mushfiqur Rahim then spurred the Bangladesh chase, which was the second-highest successful run chase in World Cup history, scoring 60 from 42 balls.
Bangladesh was a batsman down after regular opener Anamul Haque dislocated a shoulder while fielding and that made a solid and fast-paced start essential if it was to run down Scotland's demanding total.
When Rahim was out, with 72 runs still required, Shakib Al Hasan made an unbeaten 52 and Sabbir Rahman added 42 in an unbroken stand for the fifth wicket to guide Bangladesh to their second win at the tournament.
Bangladesh has now beaten Afghanistan and Scotland and shared points with Australia in a washed-out match to take five points and stake a strong claim for a place in the tournament quarterfinals. But it has tough matches remaining against England and New Zealand and may have to win one of those games to ensure it progresses.
“Our bowlers haven't bowled well but the good thing is the batters got runs, especially with a big match (against England) coming up,” Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said. “We still have two chances. We will try our level best against England, if not against New Zealand.”
The Scottish squad was disheartened to have lost in a match in which it set so many team milestones.
Coetzer compiled the first century for Scotland in a World Cup match and his 156 — his second ODI hundred — was the second-highest individual total for Scotland in all ODIs, and the highest score by a batsman from an associate — or second-tier — team in World Cup matches.
He reached his century from 103 balls, eclipsing the previous-highest score for Scotland in a World Cup match which stood at 76.
Scotland had confidence of defending its total to achieve its first-ever World Cup win but the Bangladesh run chase was too skilfully managed.
“It's very tough to take,” Scotland captain Preson Mommsen said. “We did a lot of things right today but unfortunately we couldn't put the full package together.
“Unfortunately, we just couldn't create enough chances to get 10 wickets.”
Coetzer swelled the Scotland total in partnerships of 78 for the third wicket with Matt Machan (35) and 139 for the fourth wicket with Mommsen (39). Scotland's total was its third highest in ODIs, its highest against a top-tier nation, and marked only the third occasion it has surprassed 300. — AP
