Rahim's 144 one of the best in the Asia Cup
Rahim walked in with his side in trouble at 1/2, which soon became 2/3 – or 3/3 with Tamim Iqbal retiring after being hit in the hand by a short ball from Suranga Lakmal.
Not only did he resurrect the innings and was the last wicket to fall, after Iqbal had come back to give him support, but also took Bangladesh to what later proved out to be match-winning total of 261.
"It was one of the best one-day innings for Bangladesh" – Mashrafe Mortaza all praise for Mushfiqur Rahim's brilliant century in the #AsiaCup opener against Sri Lanka.#BANvSL REACTION ⬇️https://t.co/ISWeISPRKp pic.twitter.com/opjVFfqHbY
— ICC (@ICC) September 16, 2018
Rahim farmed the strike towards the end, and Iqbal had to face just one ball as the wicket-keeper batsman moved from 112 to 132 in two overs, thereby bettering his previous best score of 117, before teeing off against Thisara Perera, hitting him for two sixes in the final over.
Even though Iqbal was later ruled out of the tournament, the Bangladesh bowlers made sure that Rahim and Iqbal's efforts didn't go in vain as they bowled Sri Lanka out for 124, completing a 137-run win.
'People should always remember him' – Mortaza and Rahim praise Tamim Iqbal's gesture in #AsiaCup win over Sri Lanka.#BANvSL REACTION ⬇️ https://t.co/07o8dZduuK pic.twitter.com/ZW2u7LGlol
— ICC (@ICC) September 16, 2018
Rahim's 144 stands only below Virat Kohli's 183, which the Indian scored against Pakistan in Mirpur in 2012, and is tied with Younis Khan's 144 for Pakistan against Hong Kong in 2004. However, Younis faced fewer balls than Rahim – 122 to 150.
Highest individual scores at the Asia Cup
Batsman | Score | Opposition | |
1 | Virat Kohli | 183 | v Pakistan, 2012 |
2 | Younis Khan | 144 | v Hong Kong, 2004 |
3 | Mushfiqur Rahim | 144 | v Sri Lanka, 2018 |
4 | Shoaib Malik | 143 | v India, 2004 |
5 | Virat Kohli | 136 | v Bangladesh, 2014 |