After eight matches, the Tigers finally got the better of India in T20Is, and in the process, take a 1-0 lead heading into Thursday’s second and penultimate T20I in Rajkot
Bangladesh finally brought to an end their jinx against India in the shortest format when they beat their neighbor by seven wickets in the first of three T20Is at Arun Jaitley Stadium in the Indian capital Sunday.
After eight matches, the Tigers finally got the better of India in T20Is, and in the process, take a 1-0 lead heading into Thursday’s second and penultimate T20I in Rajkot.
Chasing 149 for victory, Bangladesh reached their destination in 19.3 overs as stand-in captain Mahmudullah put the finishing touch with a six charging down the ground.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten at the other end on 60 off 43 balls, his match-winning knock featuring eight boundaries and a six.
The Tigers needed 35 off the last three overs when No 3 batsman Soumya Sarkar got out scoring 41.
Mushfiq though was well set at the other end on 37 when Mahmudullah joined him at the crease.
It was a tense moment as Bangladesh fell short previously in similar circumstances against India.
But both Mushfiq and Mahmudullah, the senior batsmen of the side, held their nerve and secured a memorable win.
The turning point of the game came in the third ball of the 18th over when Krunal Pandya dropped a vital catch of Mushfiq off the bowling of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Tigers required 22 off the last two overs and it was Mushfiq who took charge, smashing four consecutive fours against pacer Khaleel Ahmed to take his side on the verge of victory.
And eventually, the experienced duo finished the game, and buried the bitter memories of the recent and distant past.
Earlier, India posted a respectable 148 from their allotted 20 overs, losing six wickets.
Mahmudullah had elected to field first as youngster Mohammad Naim made his bow in the shortest format in what was the 1,000th T20I.
The Tigers included three pacers in the form of Mustafizur Rahman, Al Amin Hossain, playing his first T20I in three years, and Shafiul Islam.
Despite the presence of Arafat Sunny and Taijul Islam in the squad, the Tigers went in with no left-arm spinner.
The visiting side started well as Shafiul trapped interim India skipper Rohit Sharma in the first ball of the opening over.
Rohit was looking dangerous, having scored nine runs from four balls, before Shafiul intervened with an in-swinging delivery that struck the pads.
Bangladesh bowlers also bowled well in the middle overs, particularly the spinners, as they kept India under wraps.
Young leg-spinner Aminul Islam, who has been impressive at the start of his international career, bowled brilliantly once again, taking a wicket in his first over.
It was a classical leg-break from the youngster and Lokesh Rahul offered a simple catch to Mahmudullah, stationed at cover.
Aminul took another wicket with his attacking leg-spinners and this time it was Shreyas Iyer who was caught at long on.
Another young spinner Afif Hossain also bowled well as the offie conceded just 11 runs in his three overs, bagging one wicket.
The Tigers were in the driving seat right until the 18th over as India were struggling on 118/6 but Krunal and Washington Sundar hit 30 off the last two overs.
Shafiul leaked 14 and Al Amin gave away 16 in the last two overs as India finished well after a pedestrian run rate in the middle overs.
Shikhar Dhawan was the top-scorer for India with 41 from 42 balls with three fours and a six before being caught short of the crease in the 15th over, while wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant made 27.
Mahmudullah deployed eight bowlers as Shafiul and Aminul took two apiece.
1ST T20I
INDIA INNINGS R B
Rohit lbw b Shafiul 9 5
Dhawan run out (Mahmudullah) 41 42
Rahul c Mahmudullah b Aminul 15 17
Iyer c Naim b Aminul 22 13
Pant c Naim b Shafiul 27 26
Dube c & b Afif 1 4
Krunal not out 15 8
Sundar not out 14 5
Extras (lb 3, w 1) 4
Total (20 Overs) 148/6
Fall Of Wickets
1-10 (Rohit), 2-36 (Rahul), 3-70 (Iyer), 4-95 (Dhawan), 5-102 (Dube), 6-120 (Pant)
Bowling
Shafiul 4-0-36-2, Al-Amin 4-0-27-0, Mustafizur 2-0-15-0, Aminul 3-0-22-2, Soumya 2-0-16-0, Afif 3-0-11-1, Mosaddek 1-0-8-0, Mahmudullah 1-0-10-0
BANGLADESH INNINGS R B
Liton c Rahul b Chahar 7 4
Naim c Dhawan b Chahal 26 28
Soumya b Ahmed 39 35
Mushfiq not out 60 43
Mahmudullah not out 15 7
Extras (lb 3, w 4) 7
Total (19.3 Overs) 154/3
Fall Of Wickets
1-8 (Liton), 2-54 (Naim), 3-114 (Soumya)
Bowling
Chahar 3-0-24-1, Sundar 4-0-25-0, Khaleel 4-0-37-1, Chahal 4-0-24-1, Krunal 4-0-32-0, Dube 0.3-0-9-0
Bangladesh won by seven wickets
MoM: Mushfiqur Rahim
Source: Dhaka Tribune.