Bangladesh inflict humiliating five wicket defeat on India

Port of Spain, Mar 18 (UNI) Title aspirants India were off to a disastrous start as unfancied Bangladesh inflicted them a five-wicket defeat with nine balls to spare in their opening Group B league match of the cricket World Cup at Queen's Park Oval here.

Even in their worst nightmares, India would not have imagined such a start to their campaign in the showpiece event as they could not bat out their allotted 50 overs and were bundled out for their lowest ever score against their eastern neighbours.

The Men in Blue then failed to bowl out their inexperienced opponents to suffer a humiliating defeat.

After India were shot out for paltry 191 runs in 49.3 overs, three Bangladesh teenagers led their victory charge as they raced to 192 for five in 48.3 overs.

For Bangladesh, who notched up their third win in the World Cup today, having won two matches in 1999 edition -- against Pakistan and Scotland -- this was the historic victory as they brightned their chances of making it to the Super Eight stage.

For India, the defeat has pushed them to the wall and they now have to beat Sri Lanka and Bermuda by huge margins to qualify for the next stage on net run rate.

Three teenagers (all of whom were 19-year-old) -- Tamim Iqbal (51), Mushifiqur Rahim (56 not out) and Sakib-ul-Hassan (53) -- taught the Indians how to play under pressure without showing any sign of panic as they took their side to victory.

Bangladesh were the deserving winners as they outplayed the much hyped Indian side in all departments of the game and showed no sign of awe while facing the rival bowlers.

Though they lost an early wicket when opener Nafees was trapped leg before by Zaheer Khan, with score reading 24 in 4.2 overs, their other batsmen were totally focused and confident.

Tamim Iqbal smashed a quickfire 51 off 53 balls, hitting seven fours and two six, one each off Zaheer and Munaf.

Rahim's unbeaten 56 were studdeed with two hits to the fence and two sixes, one each off Yuvraj and Harbhajan. He faced 107 balls.

Sakib-ul-Hassan chipped in with an 86-ball 53 with the help of a six -- off Harbhajan -- and five boundaries.

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