Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Saturday, 16 September 2023 00:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
It was a dead rubber game of the 2023 Asia Cup Super4, but Bangladesh who had just a solitary win over Afghanistan in the entire tournament, made it a memorable one for them by beating India by six runs with a ball to spare, providing another nerve-jangling finish at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Not often does Bangladesh beat a side like India. It was only their eighth win in 41 ODIs (31 losses), but the last win was achieved not so long ago in Mirpur by five runs in December last year.
Invited to bat first Bangladesh ran up 265-8 based largely on a 101-run stand between skipper Shakib Al Hasan who scored a refined 80 off 85 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) and Towhid Hridoy (54 off 81 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes). They came together after Bangladesh had lost their first four wickets for 59. Following the Shakib-Hridoy partnership, Bangladesh’s late order flourished adding a further 103 runs with contributions of 44, 29 and 14 from their numbers 8, 9 and 10.
India’s run chase was spearheaded by Shubman Gill who anchored one end scoring a sublime 121 off 133 balls (8 fours, 5 sixes) which was more than half of India’s total when he was dismissed at 209. As long as he was there India had hopes of reaching their target despite losing wickets regularly at the other end.
After Gill’s departure only Axar Patel had the courage to try and chase down the target racing to 42 off 34 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes), but he too perished attempting to force the pace as Mustafizur coming for his final spell sent back Ravindra Jadeja, Patel and Sharad Thakur so that India was left needing 12 off the final over with their last pair at the wicket.
Mohammad Shami and Prasidh Krishna managed only five with Shami being run out going for a second run off the penultimate ball as India were all out for 259.
The match had no bearing on the final Super4 standings as India and Sri Lanka had already qualified for Sunday’s final. India more or less used it to test their bench strength giving those who had not got a game the opportunity to perform and show what they are capable of. They rested five of their regulars.
The win meant that Bangladesh finished third in the Super4 with Pakistan relegated to the bottom. Both teams finished equal on points (2) but Bangladesh had a better net run rate. – (ST)
