Jaztheman
Chairman of Selectors
Epic Match
India have batted superbly to get 279 from their 50 overs, which has placed immense pressure onto Bangladesh. They needed to chase that down which would be a mountain to climb. They have the weather on their side but they have it all to do; and don't think they will. Bangladesh may have a decent batting lineup but it just isn't good enough. They're on the up, but not quite good enough yet to chase down such a high score.
Nafees and Rahim started the attempted onslaught for Bangladesh. It didn't start well at all however as Nafees didn't last long. A straight normal delivery from G. Singh was enough to get Nafees out for lbw, as he went to smash G. Singh over cover. He missed the ball completely and deserved to get out, in all honesty. 6/1 is a disastrous start and with one of their best batsman gone, Bangladesh are in trouble.
S Nafees - lbw Singh - 5(6)
Bangladesh soon turned on the heat and were scoring at 8 runs an over till the sixth over. Both Rahim and Bashar were going crazy with the bat! I'm sure no-one saw this coming. 50/1 off 6 overs is some serious batting with Rahim already in the thirties. If Bangladesh can keep this up, they might get a shock victory. This has been a very exciting start to their innings, for sure.
Bangladesh carried on this insanely high tempo through the next few overs, which led to Rahim being on 62* at the end of the ninth over! Mushfiqur Rahim has silenced all his critics with this sensational knock, but it has had a tad luck to it. 2 catchable shots and 3 play and misses has prevented it from being a perfect innings thus far. He has given Bangladesh the upper edge after the early wicket, and it took him only 31 balls to get to his half century. This is his first half century of the season,, remarkably.
Rahim 50 off 31 balls
Rahim carried on his cameo and smashed four boundaries off the next two overs, including a massive six. This was truly inspirational batting. At the end of the eleventh over and Bangladesh were 105/1. Not only that but Rahim had scored 82 off those runs... off only 49 balls! He has led Bangladesh with the bat so far and a century would be the perfect start for Bangladesh. No bowling changes so far.
Rahim continued to attack the bowlers, ravenously, and put fear into the eyes of the bowlers. Especially Maniar, who helped a long way... in securing Rahim's maiden One Day International century! Mushfiqur Rahim took 66 balls to get his first 100 of his career in the short format. His conversion from 50 to 100 has been much more smooth and he has controlled the strike amazingly well. He has scored 100 of Bangladesh's 137 runs so far! Saying that, most of that is thanks to Maniar who has conceded 79 runs off his opening 8 overs...
Rahim 100 off 66 balls
The first bowling changes were finally introduced after 18 overs. Sandeep Maniar and Gangandeep Singh both bowled nine overs in their opening spells. Singh was the better bowler, despite being rather poor, getting figures of 1-66. Maniar on the other hand... well the less the said the better in his case. 0-86 off 9 overs is something to be ashamed of. However, the two spinners were now in and I don't things would be as easy.
How right I was! Kumble went for five runs, including a boundary, before Mushfiqur Rahim prominently featured in a wicket maiden for H.Singh. I'm going to forget the wicket and purely talk about the innings. Rahim scored a tremendous 106, two more than the innings of Sachin Tendulkar in the first innings. 106 off 80 balls is a wonderful effort considering the circumstances. He has been mocked by many a journalist and has been deemed not good enough for International cricket. Sir Ian Botham has opted to carry on playing him though, and he has payed him back. Well played, Sir. 157/2.
M Rahim - c Dravid b Singh - 106(80
Mohammad Ashraful was now accompanying Bashar at the crease, and he has definitely a point to prove. The run rate slowed down soon after the departure of Rahim with Ashraful starting to find his feet. The run rate had slowed down so much so that Bangladesh were only 169/2 at the halfway stage, scoring less frequently in recent overs. 111 runs at 4.4 an over off the last 25 overs with 8 wickets in hand.
Bashar however started increasing the run rate once more, in a search for a win to wrap up the series for his team. He promptly brought up his half century, in quality fashion, executing a perfect on drive for four runs. He has only played and missed two shots which isn't a bad outing at all. He's been aggressive and defensive at the right time, choosing to play the right shot. He has been once again, fundamental for Bangladesh.
Bashar 50* off 63 balls
Bashar couldn't do what Rahim did however and convert his half century into a century. Joginder Sharma came into the attack to replace Anil Kumble and picked up a wicket in his first over. He clean bowled Bashar with relative ease, sending the captain back to the pavilion after collecting 69 runs. He had a beautiful innings and one, combined with Rahim's, that deserves to gift Bangladesh the match. Will it? 207/3.
H Bashar - b Sharma - 69(78)
Sandeep Maniar replaced Harbhajan Singh at the other end to bowl his final over; what an over it was. Was it amazing for India, or amazing for Bangladesh?... Bangladesh. 13 runs off his over showed Naeem Islam destroy him, taking 12 of the runs as his own. Sandeep Maniar therefore finished with figures of 0-99 off his 10 overs; frightening stuff, considering he was lucky to not go over the 100 barrier.
Gangandeep then came in to bowl his last over, ending in a little better fortune for India. He conceded 5 runs off his over, but gaining no advantage by taking a wicket. 1-71 is terrible figures but compared to Maniar, G. Singh has bowled like a God. 16 overs left to play in the match and Bangladesh only need 50 more runs with 7 wickets in hand. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Bangladesh have this match as good as won!
The weather has also improved for Bangladesh has the sun has come out from behind the clouds and is almost in full shine. Awesome. Bangladesh continued to carry on knocking singles during the following overs to lead them through to the 40th over. Mohammad Ashraful is closing down his half century in a competent way; better than normal. 26 runs off the last ten overs; easy.
Out! Mohammad Ashraful was batting so cautiously, that he ended up playing too cautiously. Joginder Sharma picked up his second wicket of the day as he caught Ashraful in front of his wicket for lbw. The young flamboyant striker of the ball was attempting to get a single to get to his 50 but that did not end up working at all, unfortunately. He deserved a half century, but alas was not allowed one. 262/4.
M Ashraful - lbw Sharma - 49(59)
Somehow, I don't know how, Bangladesh got those last few precious runs and ended up winning the match; securing the series! Bangladesh batted quite remarkably despite going defensive towards the end of the match, taking them 48.4 overs to get to the score in the end. Naeem Islam finished the match with a single to take his score to 35. Great stuff. Bangladesh have won the series now with this win and there are already celebrations going on on the pitch!
End of Innings - Bangladesh 280/4
Rahim 106
Bashar 69
Sharma 2-45
H.Singh 1-34
S Nafees - lbw Singh - 5(6)
M Rahim - c Dravid b Singh - 106(80)
H Bashar - b Sharma - 69(78)
M Ashraful - lbw Sharma - 49(59)
N Islam - not out - 35(55)
F Hossain - not out - 8(21)
S Maniar 10-0-99-0-9.9
G Singh 10-0-71-1-7.1
A Kumble 10-1-30-0-3.0
H.Singh 9-1-34-1-3.78
J.Sharma 9.4-0-45-2-5.0
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