A last-ball six would have given India a one-wicket victory, similar to Bangladesh’s in the first ODI, but Mustafizur Rahman hit a yorker at Rohit Sharma’s knees, forcing the Indian No. 9 to only stab the ball down the ground to long-on.
After missing 91 overs due to an early finger dislocation and fractured left webbing, Rohit nearly evened the series with an unbeaten 51 off 28 balls and five late sixes. However, Mustafizur made sure Bangladesh won the second straight ODI series against India at home.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s undefeated century became the first by an eighth-ranked player in an ODI in a successful cause thanks to the left-arm seamer’s flawless execution (and only the second overall). On another sluggish, challenging pitch with a noticeable uneven bounce on Wednesday, Mehidy saved Bangladesh just like he did in the first ODI. Mehidy entered the game as Bangladesh was facing defeat at 69/6 after deciding to bat in Dhaka. Mehidy then revitalized the batting in a 148-run stand with Mahmudullah, and he later tore into the Indians as the hosts amassed 102 runs in the last 10 overs for the loss of only one wicket.
The next bowler for Bangladesh was Mehidy, who went on to grab two enormous wickets despite being targeted by Shreyas Iyer. He reduced India to 65 for 4 after trapping acting skipper KL Rahul so cleanly in front that the batsman actually moved. Then, Mehidy had Iyer mishitting an attempted second six of the over to deep midwicket as he and Axar Patel put the Indian chase back on track with a 107-run fifth-wicket stand.
After bowling just one delivery in the 47th over, it appeared like he would be forced to leave the field by yet another attack of cramps, but by that point, he had accomplished more than enough. His bowling teammates stepped up under pressure to secure a slim victory, which is evidence of how far Bangladesh have come.
At the conclusion of the 19th over, Mehidy came in to bat with India dominating Bangladesh. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan were properly worked over by Mohammed Siraj in both word and deed, displacing the openers with his trademark zip and nip. Shakib was struck on the side of the helmet, while Najmul received repeated beatings.
Unfortunately for Bangladesh, Umran Malik’s arrival didn’t slow down the pace of their testing. In the same over, he struck Shakib in the ribs and the helmet. As a result, Najmul’s off-stump was uprooted before his bat could cross the boundary.
They then started to capitulate and spin. In response to Washington Sundar’s attempted slog, Shakib had loosened up enough to provide a manageable top edge. The off-spinner was excellent, enhancing his usually flat trajectory by occasionally flighting the ball, gaining grip and turning it, as well as delivering it faster and straighter. Afif Hossain scored a golden duck as Mushfiqur Rahim lost his off-stump while backing up to cut a beautiful arm delivery, and Mushfiqur Rahim was quickly engulfed Test-match style off bat-pad at leg slip.
Repair Work
Except for the conclusion, Mehidy and Mahmudullah never had their positions secured, which was the main distinction between the remainder of the Bangladeshi innings and the Indian chase. The only genuine opportunity was lost in the 24th over when Malik was too close to the deep square-leg rope and Mahmudullah’s swipe whistled over him.
The former skipper of Bangladesh provided a steadying presence along with the occasional drive over the covers or slog over midwicket. Mehidy was more impulsive, hitting the spinners when they offered width, and not afraid to make quick work of the wicket or make a significant slog.
Following a ferocious five-over period, Rahul removed Malik after the twentieth over. When the tearaway came back in the 34th, Bangladesh was once again in charge. Siraj had proven to be unpredictable and pricey after the opening verbal volleys and unplayable snorters, and Axar Patel simply hadn’t found the correct tempo, line, or length, especially in his first spell.
Mehidy shifted into high gear following Mahmudullah’s dismissal in the 47th over. He reverse-scooped Malik between the wicketkeeper and third man as well as decisively dispatched him through the covers. Mehidy, who already has a test century, reached his first ODI century by hitting a single off the final ball of the innings while Shardul Thakur was slogged for a few sixes in the final over.
Even if India’s captain-opener were to be healthy, chasing 272 on this surface would be difficult. For the first time since 2008 and after almost nine years of opening in ODIs, Virat Kohli faced the first ball and lasted six balls before under-edging a pull onto his stumps. In the following over, Mustafizur struck out Shikhar Dhawan.
Iyer stood his own, as he frequently has in ODIs this season, and after a jittery start, Axar started to damage the left-arm spinners. Only one of Iyer’s nine boundaries came against a pacer because of how well he handled spin. But even though the equation was under control at 100 needed off 91, his strength ultimately proved to be his undoing when he went for another six off Mehidy. That suddenly seemed stiffer with his departure; three overs later, Bangladesh had taken back control when Axar also fell victim to more bounce. The Indian captain would make them sweat in the final over, but Siraj’s failure to connect with the ball with his bat in a 12-ball 2 put a stop to his heroics.
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