Dhaka, Bangladesh – Sachin Tendulkar's long-awaited 100th international century wasn't enough to prevent Bangladesh from stunning India by five wickets in the Asia Cup on Friday.
Tendulkar scored his first century in a year, an opener's innings of 114 for the historic milestone, but he and India's 289-5 were shaded by Bangladesh with four balls to spare at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Bangladesh tallied 293-5 in 49.2 overs with a late surge to leave Pakistan leading the Asia Cup undefeated with two wins, and India and Bangladesh with a win each. Sri Lanka has lost twice.
India must win the next match against Pakistan on Sunday to go to the final next Thursday. Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Bangladesh received a solid platform from patient opener Tamim Iqbal (70) and Jahurul Islam (53), who combined for 113 for the second wicket. Then some big hitting by Shakib Al Hasan (49), Nasir Hossain (54) and Mushfiqur Rahim (46 not out) propelled the home side to an unlikely victory.
Shakib, whose 49 off 31 balls included a pair of sixes, was stumped by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Ravichandran Ashwin in the 42nd over with Bangladesh still needing to up the run rate more.
Bangladesh skipper Rahim joined Nasir and both obliged with an onslaught of sixes and boundaries. Rahim slammed 46 off 25 balls with three sixes, and Nasir hit five boundaries.
By the time Nasir fell to Praveen Kumar in the 49th over, just two runs were needed from eight balls to ensure the victory.
Mahmudullah provided the finishing touch with a boundary off Ashok Dinda.
For India, Praveen Kumar had the best figures of 3-56.
Earlier, Tendulkar's 49th one-day international hundred and first against Bangladesh made him the first cricketer to a hundred international centuries.
When he brought up the ton in the 44th over, with a single to square leg, his celebration was muted. He waved his bat at his teammates, took off his helmet and kissed the India emblem on it. The Bangladesh fielders were more emphatic as they congratulated the “Little Master.”
He and Virat Kohli, who came together in the 6th over at 25-1
after Gautam Gambhir was bowled for 11 by Shafiul Islam, combined in a second-wicket partnership of 147 before Kohli was bowled by Abdur Razzak for 66 off 82 balls.
Suresh Raina joined Tendulkar, who pushed on. He took four balls to move from 98 to 99, then three more balls over 1½ overs to reach the milestone.
Raina was out after clouting 51 off 38 balls in the 47th over, trying to hit another six over long-off, and the next ball Mashrafe bin Mortaza claimed Tendulkar, caught behind. Mortaza ran over to shake Tendulkar's hand.
Tendulkar's 114 took up 147 balls including 12 boundaries and one six.
Dhoni was not out on 21 with Ravindra Jadeja unbeaten on 4.
Mortaza was the best of the bowlers with 2-44.
India won its first match against Sri Lanka by 50 runs on Tuesday. India made one change from that team by replacing Vinay Kumar with Ashok Dinda.
Bangladesh retained the same team that lost to Pakistan by 21
runs in the tournament opener on Sunday.
Pakistan is almost certain to reach the finals after beating Sri Lanka by six wickets with a bonus point on Thursday. – Sapa-AP