20 April,2015 11:54 PM IST | | Agencies
Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim were once again the stars as Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by seven wickets to claim their first ever one-day series against their Asian opponents
2nd ODI: Bangladesh make history, claim series win over Pakistan
Dhaka: Bangladesh won their first ever one-day series against Pakistan with a seven-wicket victory in Dhaka on Sunday that gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing Pakistan's 239 for six, Bangladesh rode on Tamim Iqbal's unbeaten 116 amd Mushfiqur's half-century to cruise home in the 39th over at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
The two batsmen, who had both scored centuries in Bangladesh's 79-run win over Pakistan in the first match, again provided the backbone of their side's successful run chase on Sunday after Pakistan had been limited to 239 for six.
Opener Tamim led the way with an unbeaten 116, his sixth ODI century, while wicketkeeper Mushfiqur contributed 65 as Bangladesh cruised home with almost 12 overs to spare at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
The victory was only Bangladesh's third ODI success over their Asian rivals since their first meeting back in 1986, and it earned them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Bangladesh were on top throughout the contest between the two World Cup quarter-finalists and looked set to keep Pakistan to a paltry total after reducing them to 77 for five.
However, Haris Sohail's 44 and an unbroken 85-run stand for the seventh wicket between Saad Nasim (77) and Wahab Riaz (51) helped the tourists recover to post a reasonable target.
It proved nowhere near enough in the end, though.
Having run up 329 for six in the first match - Bangladesh's highest ODI score - the home side's batsmen were brimming with confidence, and Tamim and Mushfiqur made Pakistan's bowlers suffer for the second time in three days.
The duo came together after Mahmudullah had been dismissed to make it 100 for two, and they put on 118 in 22 overs to take Bangladesh within sight of the finishing line.
Mushfiqur was unable to stay to the end, snared by Rahat Ali with the total on 218 having struck eight fours and a six, but man of the match Tamim could not be dislodged.
He ended up with a run-a-ball 116, with 17 fours and a six, as Bangladesh clinched their first ODI series win over their local rivals.
Bangladesh will now aim to complete a series whitewash in the third and final match here on Wednesday.
