Dubai: India kicked off their Champions Trophy campaign with a six-wicket victory against Bangladesh in a Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh slumped to 35-5 but went on to post 228 all out riding Towhid Hridoy’s heroic 100 while battling cramps. India made a heavy weather of the modest chase but opener Shubman Gill, who made 101 not out, helped them reach the target with 21 balls to spare. Towhid struck his first ODI century and with Jaker Ali, helped Bangladesh score 228 from 35-5 against India as the two teams opened their Champions Trophy campaign. India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami, leading India’s pace attack in the absence of the injured Jasprit Bumrah, returned figures of 5-53 after Bangladesh elected to bat first but lost half their side in the ninth over.

Towhid, who made 100, and Jaker, who hit 68, put on 154 runs to boost the total, albeit with some assistance from sloppy Indian fielding including two dropped catches. Bangladesh lost half their side in the ninth over when left-arm spinner Axar Patel struck twice in two balls to send Tanzid Hasan, for 25, and Mushfiqur Rahim, for zero, trudging back to the pavilion. Jaker finally fell to Shami but Towhid kept up the fight until his 118-ball knock ended with six fours and two sixes.

Bangladesh skipper Shanto won the toss and chose to bat against India, who are playing their matches in the 50-over tournament in the United Arab Emirates after refusing to tour hosts Pakistan over political tensions.