Dhaka: Rohit Sharma made a fabulous half-century as India overcame a shaky start to post 166-6 in the opening match of the Asia Cup against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Rohit hit 83 off 55 balls after Bangladesh, opting to bowl first on a rain-soaked pitch, made good use of the conditions to put India in trouble at a packed Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Al Amin Hossain bowled opener Shikhar Dhawan for two before skipper Mortaza got rid of in-form Virat Kohli, who offered an easy catch to Mahmudullah at mid off for eight, to provide the initial jolt.
With the first six overs yielding just 31 runs, India began to feel the pressure once Mahmudullah bowled Suresh Raina for 13 to leave the visitors struggling at 42-3.
Sharma and Yuvraj Singh steadied the innings with a 55-run fourth wicket partnership before Hardik Pandya, who scored 31 off 18 balls, joined the opener to provide India much-needed impetus.
Sharma was dropped by Shakib on 21 off Taskin Ahmed and he promptly made Bangladesh pay dearly as he hit two fours and a six in the next three balls of the over.
He struck seven fours and three sixes for his 10th half-century in a Twenty20 international.
Sharma and Pandya had their work cut out against Bangladesh's star left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman, picking 21 runs off his third over and keeping him wicket-less in the match
Al-Amin dismissed both Sharma and Pandya in the final over to finish with 3-37.
AFP
