Mushfiq epic takes Tigers to 261

Mushfiqur Rahim stood and fought like a lone gladiator till the end.

His career-best 144 has taken Bangladesh to a fighting total of 261/9, thanks also to a 131-partnership between Mushfiq and Mohammad Mithun against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Saturday.

But, it was Tamim Iqbal who showed courage and patriotism at the end. He returned to the pitch at the 47th over and batted with literally one hand, eventually adding precious 32 runs in the tenth wicket.

Tamim had to leave the field after Suranga Lakmal hit him in his ribcage in early overs when Bangladesh were already struggling at 3/2.

Half the first innings belonged to Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, but it was Mushfiq who dominated the other half, who came in to bat at 2/1 and helped Bangladesh reach a very competitive total.

Mithun's 63 and Mithun-Mushfiq's 131-run partnership rebuilt Bangladesh.

After his heroic innings, Mushfiqur told a TV commentator, "I thought the wicket was pretty good. We're under pressure very early, but credit goes to Mithun, and he took the pressure away from me. It made my job very easy. Really surprised to see Tamim come to bat, and it's a great gesture."

Malinga made an excellent comeback to international cricket as he picked four wickets and rattled the Bangladesh’s top and middle orders.

Malinga, 35, who was playing his first one-day international match after one year, dismissed opener Liton Das for a duck as he was caught in the first slip in the fifth ball of the innings. In the next ball, he produced an unplayable yorker to bowl out Sakib al Hasan (0).

Bangladesh’s problem aggravated when Suranga Lakmal hit Tamim Iqbal in his ribcage in the next over, forcing the left-hander to retire.

Skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza earlier won the toss and elected to bat first.

Afghanistan is the third team in Group B alongside Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh squad: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Sakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Mashrafee bin Murtaza (c), Mehedi Hasan, Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka squad: Upul Tharanga, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga and Amila Aponso