Opener Tamim Iqbal’s magnificent ton went to vain as host England recorded an overwhelming eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening match of ICC Champions Trophy held on Thursday at Kennington Oval.
Chasing a massive winning target of 306 runs set by Bangladesh, England rode on a match-winning unbeaten ton by Joe Root, comfortably reached home making 308 for the loss of two wickets.
Root composed a superb knock of 133 runs from 129 balls laced with 11 boundaries and one over boundaries and first shared 159-run second wicket stand with opener Alex Hales (95) and then Eoin Morgan (75 n.o) to take his side at home with 16 balls remaining.
Middle order batsman Alex smashed 11 fours and two sixes during his 86-ball stay on the crease while Morgan cracked eight boundaries and two over boundaries during his 61-ball stay on the crease.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Sabbir Rahman took one wicket each for Bangladesh.
Joe Root of England was named the player of the match for his match-winning century.
Earlier, Steered by a magnificent ton by opener Tamim Iqbal helped Bangladesh to pile up a massive total of 305 for 6 from allotted 50 overs against England in the opening match of Champions Trophy at Kennington Oval, London on Thursday.
The 28-year left handed batsman Tamim scored his ninth ODI century, highest by a Bangladeshi before he was dismissed for 128 runs off 142 balls lace with 12 fours and two sixes.
It was Tamim’s first century in an ICC tournament, but the second for Bangladesh in Champions Trophy after Shariar Nafees’ 123 against Zimbabwe in the 2006 edition.
The southpaw opener Tamim got out in the third ball of the 45th over and Mushfiq, who made 79 off 72, got out in the next ball of Liam Plunkett that checked the run flow of Bangladesh as they could add only 43 off last 32 balls.
The two Bangladeshi openers – Tamim and Soumya Sarkar – made a good start for their side contributing 56 for the opening stand after the Tigers were put into bat first by England skipper Eoin Morgan.
Ben Stokes broke the partnership in his first over as he sent back opener Soumya, who gave a catch to J Bairstow. Soumya was lucky to be dropped by Moeen Ali on 8, scored for 28 runs studded with four fours and a six.
Imrul Kayes (19) also fell soon, but Tamim and Mushfiq kept the momentum for Bangladesh contributing 166 in the third wicket to stamp Bangladesh’s authority in the game.
But the ending was not as great as the beginning, Liam Plunkett removing the duo in successive balls and Shakib Al Hasan also failing to rise to the occasion. Later, Sabbir Rahman made quick fire 24 runs off 15 balls helped Bangladesh to o take the past over 300 runs land mark.
Plunkett was the most successful bowler for England taking four wickets for 59 runs.
