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Mashrafe Mortaza of Bangladesh celebrates after claiming the wicket of Calum MacLeod of Scotland during a Cricket World Cup match between Bangladesh and Scotland at Saxton yesterday in Nelson, New Zealand. — CricInfo

Kyle Coetzer scored Scotland’s first World Cup century but their tournament hopes were ended with a six-wicket defeat by Bangladesh in Nelson. Scotland can no longer qualify for the knockout stages after losing their fourth match out of four in Pool A.

Coetzer’s 156 was the best World Cup score by an associate nation batsman and helped his team post 318-8, their highest score against a Test side.

But Tamim Iqbal (95) led Bangladesh to victory with 11 balls to spare.

It was the second-highest successful run chase in a World Cup game after the 329-7 Ireland managed against England at Bangalore in 2011.

The result means England must beat Bangladesh in Adelaide on Monday if they are to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

Scotland, meanwhile, face Sri Lanka and Australia in their remaining group matches.

Their chances of a first World Cup victory looked promising after Coetzer brought up his century in style by hitting his second six.

The 30-year-old Northamptonshire batsman finished with 17 fours and four sixes in his 134-ball innings.

Scotland were reduced to 38-2 in the 10th over after being asked to bat but Coetzer put on 78 with Matt Machan (35) and 141 with captain Preston Mommsen (39).

His stand with Mommsen was Scotland’s first century partnership in 12 matches at World Cups.

After Coetzer was dismissed in the 45th over with Scotland 269-5, Richie Berrington (26) and Matt Cross (20) combined for a quickfire 39 that saw their side past 300 for only the third time in ODIs.

While Saxton Oval is a high-scoring ground, the total was made tougher for Bangladesh when opening batsman Anamul Haque appeared to dislocate his right shoulder when diving to stop a boundary and was unable to bat.

Scotland seamer Josh Davey took an early wicket but Tamim and Mahmudullah (62) made excellent progress before the latter was dismissed in bizarre circumstances.

The batsman was bowled by Iain Wardlaw for 62 after deflecting a leg-side delivery on to the stumps off his back foot.

Tamim was closing in on Bangladesh’s first hundred in a World Cup match but was trapped leg before wicket by Davey to renew Scotland’s hopes.

But Mushfiqur Rahim made a rapid 60 from 42 balls and then Shakib Al Hasan (52 not out) and Sabbir Rahman (42 not out) completed the victory with no further alarms as Scotland’s bowlers struggled. – AP