Clinical Bangladesh thrash Canada

	Shafiul Islam showed signs that he is ready to be Bangladesh's spearhead © AFP Enlarge
Related Links News : Tamim pleased with seamers' performance Matches: Bangladesh v Canada at Chittagong Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup Teams: Bangladesh | Canada

Bangladesh barely broke a sweat as they walked all over Canada at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Even though left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, who was the leading wicket-taker in their last ODI series, did not get a wicket, Bangladesh managed to bowl Canada out for 112.

Shafiul Islam and captain Shakib Al Hasan both returned remarkable figures, bowling only four and 3.3 overs respectively. Shafiul struck two early blows, getting rid off Hiral Patel for a duck in the first over, and then dismissing Canada's senior-most player John Davison. In the absence of Mashrafe Mortaza, Shafiul has to shoulder the responsibility of spearheading the Bangladesh attack, and he would be happy to have picked up a couple of wickets.

With Shafiul rested after his opening spell, Rubel Hossain toiled for eight overs and finished with figures of 2 for 42. Shakib held himself back, using as many as six other bowlers, as he tried to give everyone a chance to prove their worth. When he finally came into the attack, he wrapped up the Canada innings quickly. A couple of strikes in the 27th over compounded the problems Canada already had after they lost early wickets, and they slid to 81 for 8. Shakib then took the last wicket to finish with figures of 3 for 5.

Offspinner Mahmudullah also had a good outing, picking up two wickets, including that of Canada's captain Ashish Bagai for 30. Left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo was the only bowler in the squad who wasn't given a go at Canada's batsmen.

Tamim Iqbal had said before the tournament he intended to be the top scorer in every match he played during the World Cup and from the evidence of Saturday's match he has already started his efforts to attain that goal. Tamim smashed three sixes and seven fours in his 69 off 50 balls, and Bangladesh raced to the target in 19.2 overs. The hosts' only grouse would have been that Tamim's belligerence did not allow anyone else to have a knock.

The ruthless performance will serve further notice of the threat Bangladesh pose during the World Cup.