The second ODI of the three-match series between Bangladesh and Ireland was abandoned due to persistent rain at Sylhet on Monday.
Bangladesh batted first and posted their highest total in ODIs, scoring 349 for six, thanks to a magnificent batting display by Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, and Naimul Hossain Shanto.
In the process, Mushfiqur smashed a century off just 60 balls— quickest century for Bangladesh, breaking Shakib Al Hasan’s record of scoring a century off 63 balls which was set in 2009 against Zimbabwe in Harare.
However, Bangladesh's joy of recording their best ODI total was unable to bring more joyous occasion as the rain denied Ireland the chance to take the field.
The rain came in after the first innings and showed no sign of stopping, resulting in the match being called off around 8:30 p.m. local time.
Bangladesh won the first match by 183 runs, their biggest win by the margin of runs.
The third and final match of the ODI series will be played on March 23rd at the same venue. After the ODI series, the teams will face each other in a three-match T20I series in Chattogram, followed by a solitary Test in Dhaka on March 8th.
The hosts had posted a massive 349 for six in 50 overs thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim's century, breaking their previous record for an ODI total (388/8), just two days prior.
Rain ruined the rest of the game though, which had to be called off at 8.32pm local time, without a single ball bowled in the chase.
Mushfiqur's unbeaten century, Litton Das 70 and Najmul Hossain Shanto 73 powered the Tigers to reach 349-6 in 50 overs. Mushfiq smashed the fastest 60-ball hundred for Bangladesh, the latter also crossed the 7000-run landmark in ODIs. Mushfiqur struck 14 boundaries and two sixes to hit his 9th ODI hundred.
Batting first, openers Litton Das and Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh a steady start as the duo put on 42 runs for the opening partnership before Tamim got runout. The captain took 31 balls to score 23 aided by four boundaries registering 15000 International runs.
The game took a quick turn when Shanto and Liton amassed a 101-run partnership, Liton scored 70 off 71 while Shanto struck 73 in 77 balls to toil Ireland bowlers.
Towhid Hridoy played a blistering knock of 49 in just 34 balls, hitting four 4's and a six, he partnered with Mushfiqur to pile up 128 runs for the fifth wicket but fell prey to Mark Adair before scoring his second ODI fifty.
Bangladesh won the first match by a massive 184 runs in the first ODI after registering the highest total of 338 runs in the ODI format.
