Bangladesh enhance chances of featuring in 2017 Champions Trophy

Mirpur (Bangladesh), June 19 (IANS) Bangladesh have enhanced their chances of securing a Champions Trophy berth after their brilliant win over India in the first One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series that took them to seventh spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings.

Mustafizur Rahman’s five-wicket haul on debut helped Bangladesh outplay the two-time world champions by 79 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National here on Thursday. The hosts scored an impressive 307 after electing to bat before their bowlers bundled out India for 228 to take a 1-0 lead in the series in style, reports a news website.

The win took Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s side past West Indies in the ODI team rankings. Both Bangladesh and West Indies had 88 points before the match. While the Caribbean side remain with the same number of points, Bangladesh have jumped to 91.

The top eight ODI teams will take part in the 2017 Champions Trophy that will be held from June 1 to 19 in England and Wales. Bangladesh will qualify for the competition if they retain their place in the top eight until September 30 this year.

As a result, the qualification battle is mainly between Bangladesh, the West Indies and Pakistan in the bottom half of the table.

West Indies have been reduced to the role of spectators with no ODIs scheduled before September. Their chances depend on performance of others.

Bangladesh are set to play fourth-ranked South Africa after the series with India while Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a five-match series after the ongoing Tests. These series' will decide the Champions Trophy fate of the three sides.

Bangladesh, however, can secure a place in the competition by winning any one of the five remaining matches before September - the remaining two against India and three against South Africa.