Bangladesh ride on Mushfiq, Shakib fifties

Fifites from Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan helped Bangladesh make 262 for 7 in their crunch World Cup tie against Afghanistan at Southampton on Monday.

The fans were hoping Mushfiq would seal his second century in as many games, but the star batsman's innings was cut short on 83 as Dawlat Zadran claimed his only wicket on the day.

That was the 49th over and by this time Mushfiq and his fellow batsmen had given the team a seemingly defendable total.

Put into bat first, the Tigers were denied a bright start due to a controversial decision when third umpire Alim Dar ruled that Liton Das (16) was caught by Hashmatullah Shahidi off a Mujeeb Ur Rahman delivery.

Replays showed the ball probably had touched the ground, but Dar did not overturn the on field umpire's decision.

Tamim Iqbal (36) and Shakib Al Hasan then added 59 in the second wicket partnership while Shakib and Mushfiq made 61 in the third wicket.

Shakib was trapped leg before by Mujeeb soon after he reached his half century, but his 51 runs made him the highest scorer in the tournament again.

He now has 476 runs in this edition's World Cup, followed by David Warner (447) and Joe Root (424) in the top scoring charts.

After the fall of Mahmudullah (27), who was limping during his innings, Mosaddek Hossain fired 35 off 24 balls to take the Tigers past 250.

Afghanistan have lost all the six games they have played so far, and it looks like their losing streak won't end today.

Bangladesh are now sixth in the table with five points. A win today will keep their hopes of a semifinal berth alive.