India defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in a rain-curtailed first one-day international in Dhaka on Sunday powered by confident half-centuries from openers Ajinkya Rahane and Robin Uthappa.
The visitors reached a revised target of 150 runs off 26 overs with seven balls to spare after heavy downpours stopped play for more than two hours in the day-night clash at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.
Bangladesh, batting first, made 272-9 off 50 overs with valuable half-centuries from skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (59) and Shakib Al Hasan (52).
Photo: AFP
India started their chase with aplomb as Uthappa (50), making his one-day comeback after nearly six years, and Rahane punished loose deliveries by scoring at more than a run a ball.
“They batted really well, especially in the first 10 overs. Our bowlers also gave away a lot of loose balls,” Rahim said.
Uthappa lofted paceman Ziaur Rahman for a massive six over midwicket to race to his sixth one-day international half-century. He was eventually out leg before wicket, although TV replays suggested a huge inside-edge onto his pad.
India, who were 100-1 off 16.4 overs when the downpours started, started tentatively when play resumed, but managed to reach the target with ease in the end.
“I am very pleased with the result. Robin [Uthappa] has been batting well and Rahane is one of the cleanest batsmen I have seen,” India captain Suresh Raina said. “I am also very happy with the bowlers. It was very tough for them in these conditions.”
Earlier, Rahim hit three fours and as many sixes in his 63-ball 59, while Shakib scored 52 off 58 balls.
India, fielding a young side and without eight of their regular players, dominated with the ball initially, but Bangladesh regrouped and made up for the slow start later on.
Paceman Umesh Yadav picked up three for 48, including the wicket of opener Anamul Haque for 44, an innings which contained seven hits to the boundary.
Off-spinner Parvez Rasool, making his debut, grabbed two wickets while giving away 60 runs.
Bangladesh lost two early wickets, but Rahim steadied the innings, stringing handy partnerships with Anamul and Shakib.
The Bangladesh skipper hoisted leg-spinner Amit Mishra (two for 55) for a huge six over the midwicket boundary and looked in fine touch before being caught by Rahane off Rasool.
Shakib and Mahmudullah (41) then guided Bangladesh’s fightback with a 65-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Raina bowled five overs after fast bowler Mohit Sharma limped off the field with an injury after bowling just six overs. Raina grabbed the key wicket of Shakib and also took a brilliant one-handed catch off Yadav to dismiss Ziaur Rahman cheaply for 2.
Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel, the other player making his debut, picked up his first international wicket when he bowled Mashrafe Mortaza as he was trying to hit him over extra-cover.
The second and third matches of the series are due to be played today and on Thursday.
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