DHAKA : India boosted their chances of qualifying for the final of the triangular one-day series when they restricted Bangladesh to 222 despite a fighting half-century from Raqibul Hasan on Thursday.

The 20-year-old middle-order batsman (89) steadied the innings with a 76-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Mohammad Ashraful (36), but the pair struggled to score freely against a disciplined Indian attack.

India, who beat Pakistan in their previous match, rattled Bangladesh by grabbing two wickets for 17 runs in the opening six overs. Seamers Praveen Kumar and Rudra Pratap Singh were the successful bowlers.

Ashraful and Hasan then kept the Indian attack at bay for nearly 20 overs before off-spinner Yusuf Pathan held a low return catch to account for the Bangladeshi skipper.

Hasan continued to defy the Indian attack, relying on singles and twos to keep the scoreboard moving. He eventually fell in the 44th over, caught by Kumar at mid-on off Rudra Pratap.

He hit just five fours in his 117-ball 89, his best in nine one-day internationals.

Rudra Pratap took three wickets and Irfan Pathan two.

Bangladesh, who lost their first game against Pakistan, need a win to stay in contention for Saturday's final. - AFP/de