Anamul leads Bangladesh to 326-3 in Asia Cup

Anamul Haque smashed a brilliant century to help Bangladesh post their highest one-day score of 326-3 in their must-win Asia Cup match in Dhaka on Tuesday. The 21-year-old scored 100 from 132 balls for his second one-day international century as Bangladesh punished the much vaunted Pakistan attack after Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and decided to bat. Bangladesh made as many as five changes after their shock 32-run defeat against Afghanistan, the most prominent being all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's return after he was suspended for three matches over indiscipline. That paid off as a revamped batting line-up led by Anamul bettered Bangladesh's previous highest-ever total of 320-8, made against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2009. Bangladesh were off to a solid start, as Anamul and Imrul Kayes (59) put on 150 for the opening wicket, the team's first century-opening stand against Pakistan in one-day cricket. Kayes benefitted from a dropped catch off the fifth delivery by Ahmed Shehzaz in the slip off Mohammad Hafeez as Bangladesh cashed in on some erratic bowling from Pakistani bowlers. Shahid Afridi went for 64 runs in his ten overs while paceman Mohammad Talha conceded 68 in seven and Umar Gul 76 in his 10. But it was the left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, brought in as one of two changes in Pakistan's squad, who suffered the worst fate as he was suspended from the attack  over dangerous bowling. He became the first bowler in international cricket to concede eight runs without bowling a legal delivery. Kayes was the first to go, caught behind off Talha after smashing five boundaries and two sixes off 75 balls. Anamul took a single off Saeed Ajmal to complete his second one-day hundred but holed out in Ajmal's next over. In all he hit six boundaries and four well-timed sixes. Mominul Haque (51), Rahim (51 not out) and Shakib with a 16-ball 44 comprising six fours and two sixes, made the final touches as Bangladesh scored 121 in the last 10 overs. Sri Lanka have already qualified for Saturday's final and Pakistan need to win this match to join them. Source: AFP