Skipper Mohammed Ashraful scored his second one-day hundred to lead Bangladesh to a comprehensive 96-run win against against United Arab Emirates in a Group A match of the Asia Cup cricket tournament in Lahore on Tuesday.
Riding on Ashraful's superb 109-run knock and Raqibul Hasan's blazing 83, Bangladesh made 300 for eight, after deciding to bat at the Gaddafi stadium.
In reply, the UAE team put up a good fight but were folded for 204 in 45.4 overs.
Khurram Habib (78) smashed a brilliant half-century but his valiant effort was not enough to eke out a win as other batsmen failed to perform.
Habib took just 81-balls for his knock, studded with eight shots to the fence. Opener Arsahd Ali also batted well for his 41.
Bangladesh spinner Abdur Razzak was the most successful bowler with figures of 10-2-20-3 while Mahmudullah and Alok Kapali took two wickets apiece.
Earlier, Ashraful led from the front, hitting a superb century to guide Bangladesh to 300 for eight.
Ashraful smashed 109 runs and was well supported by Raquibul, who scored a breezy 63-ball 83, with the help of nine boundaries in the day and night affair.
Electing to bat, Bangladesh did not have an ideal start as opener Nazimuddin (2) fell prey to paceman Zahid Shah in the third over itself and their scoreboard read 12 for loss of one wicket but Ashraful came to the crease and began fireworks making the UAE bowlers run all around the park.
Ashraful and another opener Tamim Iqbal, who contributed a worthy 40, together added 105 runs to steer the team to a safe zone but the partnership was broken when Iqbal was run out by wicketkeeper Amjad Ali in the 24th over.
Hasan, the next batsman in, matched the tempo set by his captain and got to the business from the word go. He stitched 141-run together with Ashraful before being caught behind by Amjad Ali off Zahid Shah delivery.
Following Hasan's departure in 44th over, Ashraful appeared to be in the hurry to score which cost him as he also returned to pavilion in the space of couple of more balls.
The captain's fall shook the confidence of subsequent batting line up as seniors like Alok Kapali (1), Mashrafe Mortaza (3) and Mushfiqur Rahim (16) also followed him. Last batsman Dollar Mahmud, however, scored a courageous 20 under pressure which came with the help of a six and a boundary off just 9 balls.
