By Nick Butler

Bangladesh battled hard to win with 11 balls to spare over Scotland ©AFP/Getty ImagesBangladesh gained their second victory of the Cricket World Cup today in Nelson to boost their chances of reaching the quarter-finals, while Scotland bowed out after a valiant six-wicket loss.


Scotland, who have the worst record in World Cup history after failing to secure a victory in all 12 matches they have now played in the quadrennial event, battled hard to score 318-8, their highest ever total against one of the 10 Test cricketing nations. 

Leading the way was Kyle Coetzer who hit a magnificent 134 ball 156, the highest ever World Cup score by an associate - non Test playing - nation, and the first World Cup century by an Scottish player.

But in a mark of how scores that would once have seemed insurmountable are now being chased down with relative ease in the one day international format, Bangladesh secured victory with six wickets and 11 balls to spare.

Kyle Coetzer was unlucky to be on the losing side after a magnificent innings in Nelson ©AFP/Getty ImagesKyle Coetzer was unlucky to be on the losing side after a magnificent innings in Nelson ©AFP/Getty Images



Tamim Iqbal led the way with 95, and then Mushfiqur Rahim scored a rapid 60 from 42 balls before Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman got the Asian side over the line after finishing unbeaten on respective totals of 52 and 42.

It was the second-highest successful run chase in a World Cup game after Ireland's 329-7 to beat England in 2011, and further evidence that Scotland's bowling must improve if they are to succeed at this level. 

Bangladesh are now locked in a battle with England and Afghanistan for the remaining quarter-final place, with a key clash up next with the English on Monday (March 9) in Adelaide.

Scotland now have the tough ask of taking on Sri Lanka and Australia in their two remaining matches, with those two teams, along with co-hosts New Zealand, all poised to qualify from Pool A. 

Unbeaten India are leading the way in Pool B, and they will take on West Indies in Perth tomorrow.

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