Press Trust of India
Mirpur, June 18: Bangladesh pacers including debutant Mustafizur Rahman (5/50) came to the party as the hosts thumped India by 79 runs at the Sher-e Bangla National Stadium here Thursday. Rahman was well-supported by Taskin Ahmed (2/21) and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza (1/53) on a pitch where the Indian pacers had earlier been belted all round the mark.
Compare the bowling figures of the Bangladesh pacers against their Indian counterparts and the story of the match aptly sums itself up. Umesh Yadav (8-0-58-2) and Mohit Sharma (4.4-0-53-1) conceded 111 runs among themselves in little less than 13 overs.
Bangladesh posted their highest total of 307 all out in 49.2 overs and then bowled out India for 228 in 46 overs to script their fourth victory in 30 games. It was a tremendous effort on the part of visitors and the smug look of satisfaction was there for everyone to see. It was a sweet revenge for the Adelaide loss they suffered in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Except for Rohit Sharma (63, 68b, 4×4, 1×6) and Suresh Raina (40, 40b, 1×4, 1×6) none of the other Indian batsmen could stand up to the pacers of Bangladesh bowlers. Raina and Ravindra Jadeja (32, 42b, 2×4) added 60 runs to raise hopes of an Indian revival, but the moment Mustafizur deceived Raina with a slower incoming delivery to castle the batsmen Indian hopes disappeared.
Earlier Bangladesh riding on a brilliant opening stand of 102 between Tamim Iqbal (60, 62b, 7×4, 1×6) and Soumya Sarkar (54, 40b, 8×4, 1×6) posted their first 300-plus score against India. The two openers were complemented by Shakib Al Hasan (52, 68b, 3×4) and Sabbir Rahaman (41, 44b, 5×4, 1×6).