Mushfiqur Rahim’s ton goes in vain as Australia beats Bangladesh by 48 runs in World Cup
Nottingham, June 20: Australia moved closer to World Cup semifinals after David Warner inspired the defending champions to a comfortable 48-run win over a combative Bangladesh with his second century of the tournament.
The left-handed opener contained his natural aggressive self before swinging his arms freely to build a 166-run knock, which steered Australia to a mammoth 381 for five, their second highest score in World Cup.
Warner, who had hit a hundred against Pakistan as well, added 121 runs with his skipper Aaron Finch (53) in a risk-free opening partnership and then raised a 192-run stand with Usman Khawaja (89).
He completed his 16th ODI hundred, his sixth 150-plus knock, which came off 147 balls with 14 hits to fence and five over the ropes.
The stage was set to go after the bowlers and Glenn Maxwell produced a 10-ball 32, which had three sixes and two fours. Maxwell was run out after a mix-up with Khawaja, who sent his partner back sensing risk and was caught behind minutes later to miss out on a hundred.
Faced with a daunting task to chase down the massive target, the 'Tigers', as expected, took the fight to the rival camp but ended up with 333 for eighth in stipulated overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim (102 not out), Mahmudullah (69), Tamim Iqbal (62) and in-form Shakib Al Hasan (41) gave their all in the chase but the effort still proved insufficient though the total was their best ever in ODIs.
It was Rahim's first hundred in a World Cup game and seventh overall.
Paceman Mitchell Starc (2/55) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (2/58) shared four wickets between them.
The win took Australia to top of the table with 10 points from six games while Bangladesh remained at number five with five points and now need to win their remaining three games.
Earlier, medium pacer Soumya Sarkar (3/58) took three wickets while Mutsafizur Rehman (1/69) accounted for one Australian batsman.
Mashrafe Mortaza and Rehman largely remained disciplined in their opening spells, bowling wicket-to-wicket. Warner and Finch also preferred playing risk-free game and did not attack much, managing an under-six run-rate.
It was only after spinners -- Shakib and Mehidy Hasan -- were introduced that the two batsmen showed some aggression. Warner launched one from Shakib for a massive six over mid-wicket while Finch punished Hasan with back-to-back shots over the ropes.
Paceman Rubel Hossain bowled in good rhythm and the run-rate was under control, but both Warner and Finch were still at the crease, having completed their half-centuries.
Sarkar brought relief for a worried Bangladesh by sending back Finch with his fifth ball in what was a soft dismissal off the medium pacer in the 21st over of the innings.
But the joy was short-lived as Warner and Khawaja joined forces to raise another big partnership. They added 192 runs for the second wicket, dominating the bowlers.
Sarkar again separated the batsmen by dismissing Warner but by that time, Australia had already 300-plus total on the board.
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J-K MP Mehdi criticises CM Omar Abdullah for failing to 'condemn' Khamenei's assassination
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Srinagar (PTI): National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday criticised Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for failing to "condemn" the assassination of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mehdi said if Abdullah cannot find the courage to condemn the assassination of Khamenei, his words of concern for the situation in the Gulf country have no value for the people who followed and respected the Supreme leader of Iran.
"While going through Tweets and statements, I found that he is "concerned" and falls short of condemnation, let alone a word of tribute," Mehdi said in a post on X without naming the chief minister.
The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar constituency, who is in an estranged relationship with the ruling National Conference, said if Abdullah does not have the courage to condemn the act of aggression against a sovereign nation, he should keep his concern to himself.
"If you cannot find the courage to condemn an act of aggression against a sovereign nation and assassination of a highly respected religious figure who is widely followed by your electorate and fellow citizens, because the people in power in the centre you are trying to cosy up to will get upset- Keep your "concern" with yourself," Mehdi added.
The chief minister on Sunday said he was deeply concerned about the unfolding developments in Iran, including the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"I appeal to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest," he posted on X.
National Conference issued a statement attributed to party president Farooq Abdullah in which he condemned the killing of Khamenei in joint strikes by the US and Israel.
"(Farooq) Abdullah has strongly denounced the act, describing it as a tragic and destabilising development with serious implications for peace and stability in the region," the National Conference said in the statement.
While going through Tweets and statements I found that he is “concerned” and falls short of condemnation let alone a word of tribute.
— Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) March 1, 2026
If you cannot find courage to condemn an act of aggression against a sovereign nation and assassination of a highly respected religious figure…
