Bangladesh Win

Bangladesh win by 5 runs against India and secure the series 2-0

Bangladesh beat India by 5 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI) to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh struck an unbroken 100 off 83 balls and took two wickets to assist his team win.

India, chasing 272, got off to a slow start, losing openers Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan early, but half-centuries by Shreyas Iyer (82) and Axar Patel (56) helped them get back in the game.

In Rohit’s absence, Virat Kohli opened, but both he and Shikhar Dhawan perished in the first three overs of the chase, and the Bangladesh spinners hit later to damage India even more. With a century stand, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel tried to save India from 65 for 4, but it was only a question of shattering that stand for Bangladesh to respond.

Once they did, with Iyer’s wicket in the 35th over when India needed another 100 runs, the hosts stormed back with Axar’s wicket as well, and India’s lower order, which included an injured Deepak Chahar, just postponed the inevitable as the asking rate sneaked up until Rohit gave the hosts a fright.

India’s middle order collapsed, as they came up just short in their run chase, finishing on 266-9. After getting a scan for a left thumb sprain received when he dropped Anamul Haque in the second over of Bangladesh’s batting, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma (51 not out) stepped in to bat at number nine and helped push India close.

Earlier, Bangladesh were in danger at 69-6 after electing to bat first, as Washington Sundar (3-37) and Mohammed Siraj (2-73) shredded through the top order before the hosts struck back.

Mehidy put up 148 runs for the seventh wicket with Mahmudullah (77) as India was relaxed, and the 25-year-old achieved his century with the final ball of the game as Bangladesh put on 271-7.

The teams will play their final game in Chattogram on Saturday, followed by two tests.

Rohit Sharma, Indian captain: “Honestly, the thumb is not too great. Some dislocation on the finger, but not a fracture, which is why I could come and bat. I think when you lose a game, there are positives and negatives… From 70 for 6 to allowing them to 270-odd was not a great effort from the bowlers. The middle overs and back end are hurting us – it hurt us in the first game as well. We need to focus on what we need to do as individuals but not taking anything away from Mehidy and Mahmudullah. But we need to learn how to break partnerships and that’s something that will hold you in good stead. In one-day cricket, it’s all about partnerships like those guys did it. When you get 50, 70-run partnerships, you should make it 100-120 partnership. Having said that, we have a lot of things to look at and we need to be a bit brave and take more chances. Few injury concerns and we need to get to the bottom of it; maybe they’re playing too much cricket. It’s something we have to sit down with our team at NCA and try and monitor their workload. Can’t afford to have half-fit players representing India.”

Mehidy Miraz, Man of the Match: “Last few years I’ve worked hard and I need to focus on particular areas. The coach gives me lots of information as to how to play in international cricket. Mahmudullah is a senior guy and we just wanted to build a partnership. It was a great moment for me and while bowling I just tried the good areas.”

Litton, Bangladeshi captain: “Feeling very happy. Winning the series as captain – it’s a dream come true. I decided that 240 would be enough in Mirpur. We lost six wickets but the way Miraz and Riyad bhai played was outstanding. The wicket played well in the second half and I just changed the bowlers. We are going for winning the match.”

India XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik

Bangladesh Playing XI: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das(c), Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.