DHAKA — Centuries from Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim powered Bangladesh to its highest total and a victory against Pakistan in One-Day Internationals after a gap of 16 years Friday. The 79-run win in Dhaka gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and its second victory in the 50-over format against Pakistan. The minnow also defeated it in Northampton during the 1999 World Cup in England. Tamim (132) and Mushfiqur (106) added 178 in 130 balls for the third wicket as Bangladesh recovered from a sluggish start to post its highest ODI total of 329-6 after winning the toss and opting to bat first against a new look Pakistan side. In reply, the visitors were bowled out for 250 in the 46th over, despite half-centuries from Azhar Ali (72), debutant Mohammad Rizwan (67) and Haris Sohail (51). “It was a real professional performance by the team,” said Shakib Al Hasan, who led Bangladesh in the absence of Mashrafe Mortaza, who served a one-match ban for slow over-rates during the World Cup. “It was a good pitch to bat on and Tamim and Mushfiq batted really well. After that we just wanted to contain their batsmen and I think our bowling unit rose to the occasion.” Azhar, who replaced the retired Misbahul Haq as Pakistan's new ODI captain, would have been delighted with the performance of his bowlers in the first 20 overs as Bangladesh limped to 67 for two. But Tamim, who scored his first ODI hundred since March 2013, and former captain Mushfiqur, whose 77-ball knock contained 13 fours and two sixes, turned the momentum in Bangladesh's favor with their record stand — the highest for any wicket for the side in the 50-over format. With some of its first-choice bowlers ruled out with injuries before the start of the series, Pakistan had high hopes of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has returned to international cricket after remodeling his illegal bowling action. Ajmal bowled well for his first five overs, giving away only 11 runs, but ended with figures of 0-74 from his 10, his worst figures in ODIs. Left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz, who was impressive during the recent 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, was once again the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with figures of 4-59. Azhar, playing his first ODI in two years, gave Pakistan a strong start, putting on 53 with Sarfraz Ahmed for the opening wicket and then 89 with Haris Sohail for the third. But after his dismissal to fast bowler Taskin Ahmed in the 28th over, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and the required run rate climbed steeply. Taskin and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny took three wickets each for Bangladesh. Azhar promised a better outing in the next match. “We made some mistakes in the field and dropped catches at the wrong time, but the credit goes to the Bangladesh batsmen,” he said. “I think we conceded 30 to 40 runs more than we should have. “But there were some positives for us too. I thought Rizwan batted soundly in his first match. We will rectify our mistakes and come back strongly in the next game.” The second and third one-dayers will also be held at the same venue on April 17 and 22. — Agencies
