MIRPUR: Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz put on a valiant show with the bat as he powered the hosts to claim a thrilling one-wicket victory over strong India in the first ODI here on Sunday. With his side struggling at 136/9 in pursuit of a paltry 187-run target, Miraz held his nerves calm and put on an astounding 54-run match-winning partnership with tailender Mustafizur Rahman.

Indian bowlers, who managed to make an anticipated one-sided affair interesting with timely strikes, failed to draw the last success as Miraz and Rahman remained unbeaten to power Bangladesh to a thrilling victory. Bangladesh’s hero with the bat Miraz played a gritty knock of 38 runs, while Rahman played a crucial knock of 10 not out. Earlier, Bangladesh were cruising easily towards glory when they were 74/2 in the 20th over in pursuit of a paltry target before they lost their top-scorer and captain Liton Das.

The right-handed batter scored 41 off 63 deliveries with the help of three boundaries. Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan then also departed, briefly after Das’ dismissal and Bangladesh, as a result, slipped to 95/4. Shakib’s dismissal sparked a frustrating collapse in the hosts’ batting lineup and soon slipped to 136/9; needing another 51 runs.

Batting first, a strong Indian batting lineup failed completely and could only manage to amass 186 before bundling out in the 42nd over. Shakib was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh as he bagged five wickets for a mere 36 runs in his quota of 10 overs while Ebadot Hossain was also lethal with his bowling figures of 4/47. KL Rahul was the leading run-getter amid India’s dismal batting show as he scored 73 off 70 balls, laced with five boundaries and four sixes.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 05 2022

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