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Rahim rallies Bangladesh with unbeaten 81

Mushfiqur Rahim cracked a brisk half-century as Bangladesh recovered from early blows to post a competitive 229-7 in the second one-day international against Australia on Monday.

Bangladesh, electing to bat after winning the toss, were struggling at 88-5 before wicketkeeper-batsman Rahim hit an 80-ball 81 not out with the help of one six and nine fours.

Rahim’s best came in the closing stages of the innings when he smashed two fours and a six off successive deliveries from paceman Brett Lee before hitting two boundaries in seamer Mitchell Johnson’s last over.

He played a key role in steadying the innings after Johnson (3-54) and leg-spinner Steven Smith (2-34) had put the hosts in trouble, adding 79 for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Mahmudullah (38).

Australia lead 1-0 in the three-match series following their 60-run win in the opening match in Dhaka on Saturday.

Shahriar Nafees was the only top-order batsman to offer resistance, scoring 56 off 73 balls with six fours. He fell after completing his 12^th half-century in one-dayers, offering a simple return catch to Smith.

Johnson did the early damage when he removed openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes before paceman John Hastings accounted for Raqibul Hasan to reduce the hosts to 28-3 in the opening 12 overs.

Smith bowled skipper Shakib Al Hasan for nine runs and then dismissed well-set Nafees to send the hosts reeling at 88-5.

Australia brought in Callum Ferguson in place of Cameron White for the only change from the side that played in the previous match, while Bangladesh replaced paceman Mashrafe Mortaza with Rubel Hossain.

The final one-dayer will be played in Dhaka on Wednesday.