Associated Press

Cardiff, June 18:

Mohammad Ashraful scored 100 to help Bangladesh beat Australia by five wickets for one of one-day cricket’s biggest ever surprises. Bangladesh was coming off Thursday’s 10-wicket loss to England in the three-team tournament, while Australia was rated a 500-1 shot by bookmaker Ladbrokes to lose. Australia batted first at Sophia Gardens and rallied from a shaky start to reach 249/5. But Mohammad Ashraful scored his first one-day century to guide his team to victory with four balls to spare. It was Australia’s third straight loss in six days. Bangladesh had nine wins from 107 matches. Australia slumped to 9/2 and then 57/3, but managed a respectable total. Damien Martyn hit 77, while Bangladesh’s Tapash Baisya took 3-69. Ashraful, 20, made the most of a let-off on 54 when Jason Gillespie spilled a catch, and went on to complete a 130-run partnership with Habibul Bashar (46). Bangladesh needed 48 runs from 37 balls and Aftab Ahmed opened his scoring with a four off Michael Hussey. In the 47th over, Bangladesh needed 22 runs from 16 balls — and took 10 runs off McGrath’s over. Ashraful reached his 100 off 100 balls and, after punching the air, bent down on his knees to kiss the wicket. Ashraful lofted the next delivery and was caught by Brad Hogg. With seven runs needed off the final over by Gillespie, Aftab lofted a six and then hit the single that won it.