Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan bats against India in the World Cup match at Edgbaston (Dibyangshu Sarkar)

Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Shakib Al Hasan struck his sixth score of fifty or more at the World Cup to keep Bangladesh’s tournament hopes alive as they chased a target of 315 runs to beat India at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

Bangladesh were 163 for four after 30 overs, with Shakib on 57 and Mosaddek Hossain one not out.

Rohit Sharma’s attacking 104 gave India the platform to make a huge score but a clatter of late wickets and some canny bowling restricted them to 314 for nine in their 50 overs.

Paceman Mohammed Shami struck early in Bangladesh’s reply when Tamim Iqbal (22) chopped the ball onto his stumps.

Hardik Pandya dismissed Soumya Sarkar for 33 and wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal removed the dangerous Mushfiqur Rahim for 24 as Bangladesh slipped to 121-3.

Shakib, who has been the driving force behind Bangladesh’s campaign, then put on 41 runs with Liton Das to stage a fightback.

The all-rounder now has six scores of fifty-plus, two of which he has converted into hundreds.

Liton mistimed a pull off Pandya, with Dinesh Karthik taking the catch at mid-wicket. He made 22.

Earlier, Sharma survived an early scare to make his fourth century of the tournament after India elected to bat first with their eye on confirming a semi-final spot.

Sharma played an attacking knock, hitting seven fours and five sixes in his 92-ball stay at the wicket, cheered by a largely pro-India crowd in Birmingham.

Sharma and opening partner KL Rahul put on 180 runs — the highest stand for the first wicket in the tournament — to get India off to a flying start.

But Sharma was caught at extra cover by Liton off the bowling of Soumya and Rahul, who filled an opener’s slot following an injury to Shikhar Dhawan, was caught behind off Rubel Hossain for 77.

Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman claimed five wickets, including the prized scalp of skipper Virat Kohli for 26, to check India’s surge.

A win for India would ensure a semi-final spot in the 10-team event.

Bangladesh need to win both of their final fixtures, against India and Pakistan, and for results elsewhere to go in their favour.

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.