A cool, soothing breeze swept across the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday while the Bangladesh cricketers were congratulating each other. Somehow, the pleasing weather matched the occasion as the Tigers registered a historic series sweep over Pakistan after a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the third and final ODI.
En route to their memorable 10th series whitewash, Bangladesh broke several records as they became the fifth Test-playing nation after Australia, England, Sri Lanka and the West Indies to clinch a series sweep over Pakistan in the history of limited-over cricket.
Yesterday’s whitewash was Bangladesh’s eighth at home.
Soumya Sarkar blasted to his maiden hundred and he along with the player-of-the-tournament Tamim Iqbal added 145 runs for the opening wicket to guide the Tigers to their modest target of 251 with 63 deliveries in hand.
Pakistan Skipper Azhar Ali, who earlier grabbed his maiden ton, maintained his good form but Pakistan managed only 250 despite being in a good position at 203/2. They lost their remaining eight wickets for just 47 runs and later, the Bangladesh batsmen were hardly troubled with Mushfiqur Rahim (49*) and Soumya (127*) remaining undefeated at the end.
Tamim departed but not before making 64 off 76 balls to continue his great run with the bat. His 29th fifty saw him surpass Shakib al Hasan (28) as the Bangladeshi cricketer with the most ODI half-centuries. The Chittagong lad ended the series on 312 runs to become the highest Bangladeshi run-scorer in a bilateral series. Interestingly, the swashbuckling southpaw broke his own record of 300 runs against Zimbabwe back in 2009.
Following Tamim’s departure, Mahmudullah too made his way to the hut after making only four but an in-form Mushfiq and Soumya saw the chase home to spark wild celebrations all over the country.
The Tigers, earlier, made a brilliant comeback with the ball after Azhar (101) became the first Pakistan captain to score a century in five years. Azhar put on 91 runs for the opening wicket alongside debutant Sami Aslam (45).
Mohammad Hafeez continued to disappoint with the bat as he made just four but Azhar and Haris Sohail added a further 98 runs for the third wicket to take Pakistan to 203/2.
From there on in, however, the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and ended their innings on 250 with an over to spare.
Ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan (2/34), playing in his 150th ODI, was the most economical bowler for the home side while skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny also bagged two wickets apiece. With 30 wickets each, Shakib and Mashrafe are now the most successful bowlers for Bangladesh against Pakistan.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
