Stiff target made easy
England chase down Bangladesh’s 305/6 with plenty to spare
Hosts England exhibited why they are considered as one of the favourites to win the trophy in the opening match against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy opener here on Thursday. Chasing a competetive target of 306 to win, riding on the century of Mr. Dependable Joe Root (133 no) and stylish half centuries by Alex Hales (95) and captain Eoin Morgan (75 no) England made a mockery of this target by crossing the finish line with 8 wickets and 16 balls to spare.
Earlier, Bangladesh Opener Tamim Iqbal hit a stylish hundred, guiding Bangladesh to a competitive 305 for six against England.
Courtesy Tamim's (128 off 142 balls) ninth ODI hundred and a 166-run partnership for the third wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim (79 off 72), Bangladesh shrugged off the disappointment of a batting debacle against India in the practice game.
The visitors made a safe start with Tamim and Soumya Sarkar (28) adding 56 runs for the opening wicket. Imrul Kayes (19) didn't score too many but the two senior pros, Tamim and Rahim then batted responsibly on a placid Oval track.
The stylish Tamim hit 12 boundaries and three sixes in his innings while Rahim struck eight boundaries in his 72-ball knock.
Tamim started on a cautious note getting his first boundary off 21st ball that he faced.
His first confident shot was a straight drive off Mark Wood followed by a whip to long-leg.
He cut and pulled with ferocity to to complete the 50 off 71 balls. The six came off Moeen Ali -- an inside out lofted shot over long-off.
The century also came when he tapped Ali for a single to complete it off 124 balls.
It seemed that Bangladesh would get close to 330 but England fought back through Liam Plunkett who dismissed Tamim and Rahim
off successive balls in the 45th over.
The twin strikes affected the scoring rate a bit before Sabbir Rahman smashed 24 off 15 balls to take his team past 300.
Medium pacer Plunkett was the pick of the bowlers for England, taking four wickets in his 10 overs and conceding 59 runs.
The 50th over was bowled by Plunkett and it went for just five runs.