10.25pm One can only imagine how Mushfiqur Rahim must be feeling right now. He played a top knock that put his team on the brink of a win that would’ve sealed the series. But then, he perished at the last hurdle. Looking to heave away a full toss. Caught at deep midwicket. Shades of that World T20 clash against India. Shades of what happened against Afghanistan in India. At least the third time that he’s had to endure heartbreak after coming so close. Each of those dismissals ended in catches to deep midwicket, and each of them to full tosses.
But to put this down to Mushfiqur alone would be unfair. Bangladesh had numerous chances to seal this. They were cruising at over 10 an over until the seventh over. They had nine wickets in hand. And then began an irreparable slowdown. Tamim Iqbal ate up 85 balls for his 54. In no time, the run rate halved, going from 10 to 5. They didn’t bother to rotate the strike. The pressure built up. But they recovered well enough from that, and with Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur at the crease, it was still their game to lose. And then miscommunication sent back Mahmudullah, before finally, Mushfiqur perished. You don’t get more chances than that to win a game. Bangladesh will introspect on this game well into the night. But they have one more chance to bounce back, as the teams head into the decider, and put the debacle of the Test series defeat behind them.
Shimron Hetmyer is the Man of the Match for his blistering century. That brings us to the end of this match’s coverage then. If you missed it, Mohammad Isam’s report should be up shortly, so head over there. But from here, it’s goodbye from Shashank Kishore and myself. Thanks for joining us.
Holder to Mashrafe Mortaza, 1 run, no, they won’t get it. Holder lets out a roar at his crease and he is mobbed by his team-mates. A fuller delivery that angles into the pads that’s driven straight along the ground to long-on
Holder is vigorously wiping the ball. Must be so hard gripping it. Five needed.
Holder to Mosaddek Hossain, 1 run, another full toss, yorker gone wrong but Holder won’t care because it’s only drilled along the ground to deep midwicket
Six off two needed. Tension all around.
Holder to Mushfiqur Rahim, OUT, oh dear! Mushfiqur Rahim perishes in the final over. With eight to get, the set batsman is gone. Shades of World T20 2016 in Bangalore. A full toss that slips out of the hand and Mushfiqur swats it straight into the hands of deep midwicket. Hardly a delivery that deserves a wicket but that’s fortune for you
Mushfiqur Rahim c Paul b Holder 68 (67b 5×4 1×6) SR: 101.49
Holder to shoulder the responsibility of the last over. He has gone at nearly seven an over so far. And he has exactly seven to defend.
Paul to Sabbir Rahman, OUT, he’s holed out here. Sabbir tries to heave this full toss and gets down on one knee and half-sweeps it from outside off. Deep midwicket runs to his right and grabs it, but the set batsman is still there. Eight off the last over.
Sabbir Rahman c Hetmyer b Paul 12 (11b 1×4 0x6) SR: 109.09
Paul to Sabbir Rahman, 1 run, full toss outside off, driven square to deep point
The dew has taken full effect. Gripping the ball is increasingly harder. This is Bangladesh’s game to lose now. Fourteen required off the last two.
Holder to Mushfiqur Rahim, no run, well-bowled. Slower length ball that beats the outside edge as he prods forward
Stuart: “If only Narine was available for selection, this would have been game on. Bangladesh knew they could just stay in and take on the quick bowlers “
Holder to Mushfiqur Rahim, FOUR runs, length on the stumps, Mushfiqur swats it down the ground with a cross-batted swipe and beats long-on diving to his left
Gkm: “Good morning from india. Switched on the tv and the first visuals i saw were of gayle dropping a dolly. Has it become a thumb rule to select gayle? There are so many youngsters going around. This is an era of good fielding and fitness. And bangladeshi seniors have finally stepped up. Mushfiqur is one player who can walk into any team right now”
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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