ST JOHNS, Antigua (CMC)

A brilliant unbeaten century by Shahriar Nafeez Ahmed (104 n.o.) piloted Bangladesh to an impressive eight-wicket win over Bermuda in their pre-Cricket World Cup tri-series One-Day International (ODI) at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) yesterday.

Shahriar, the left-handed opener, launched a calculated assault on the Bermuda attack as he paced Bangladesh to 206 for two in 37.3 overs in reply to Bermudas modest 205 for eight off their 50 overs. Shahriar, who along with Shakib al Hassan (42 not out) featured in a match-winning third-wicket stand of 134 in 22.3 overs, struck eight fours and three sixes in his 112-ball knock.

He reached his hundred in the last over of the game by carting off-spinner Delyone Borden for a flat six over mid-wicket and then brought up the winning runs two balls later with a pull for four.

Shakib, who gave good support, faced 70 balls and hit two fours.

After Bangladesh lost the early wicket of Tamin Iqbal Khan for 11 with the score on 14, in came Aftab Ahmed, the only right-hander to bat. He then hammered 40 off just 27 balls with seven fours before he was brilliantly caught at long-on by Saleem Mukuddem, clutching an overhead catch running backwards off the bowling of seamer Kevin Hurdle to make 72 for two.

NO FURTHER SUCCESS

The Bermuda bowlers never enjoyed any further success as Shahriar and Shakib batted with purpose to spur their team to victory.

Earlier, the Bermudians were restricted from scoring freely as a disciplined Bangladesh attack.

Lionel Cann, who top-scored with 33 off 23 balls including four fours and two sixes, and Mukuddem, who hit 32 from 36 balls with three fours, gave the innings a late surge after Bermuda had reached 83 for five in the 30th over.

Janiero Tucker, who left the field with the injury while he was bowling, contributed a useful 31 off 30 balls with four fours after putting on 45 for the sixth wicket with OJ Pitcher (30).

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique took two for 38 from his 10 overs to be the most successful Bangladesh bowler.

Bermuda play Canada today in the next tri-series match, a warm-up series ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean next month.