Cautious Tigers make steady start in run chase

A cautious Bangladesh made a steady start to their 187-run chase against India in the first One-Day International of their three-match series as the Tigers, losing three wickets, managed to put 77 runs on the scoreboard after 20 overs.

Shakib is unbeaten on 14, partnered by Mushfiqur Rahim on two after Liton Das was dismissed for 41.

Batting first, India were bowled out for 186, courtesy of Shakib Al Hasan's five-wicket haul along with Ebadot Hossain's four wickets.

The Tigers did not get off to the best of starts as they lost opener Najmul Hossain Shanto in the very first delivery of their innings as he gave an easy catch to Rohit Sharma at first slip off Deepak Chahar's bowling.

Liton and Anamul Haque then played cautiously for the next nine overs, where they accumulated only 26 runs. Anamul was the second batter to go for Bangladesh in the final over of the first powerplay when he gave a simple catch to Washington Sundar at short mid-wicket off Mohammad Siraj's bowling.

Liton and Shakib seemingly put the Bangladesh ship back on track as they put together 48 runs for the third wicket. The newly-appointed Bangladesh skipper seemed in fine touch, but gave away his wicket when he tried to guide a delivery down the leg side from Washington Sundar, which touched his glove and was gobbled up by wicketkeeper KL Rahul.

Shakib sinks India

Shakib’s first five-wicket haul against India strangled the visitors as Bangladesh bundled them out for 186 in the first One-Day International of the series.

This is India’s second-lowest total against Bangladesh in ODIs after their 105-run innings in 2014.

Shakib ended with figures of 5-36, picking up the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar.

He was aptly supported by Ebadot Hossain, who picked up four wickets. The other wicket went to Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

KL Rahul top-scored for India with 73 as none of their other batters could make anything substantial against a disciplined Bangladesh bowling.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s debuting skipper Liton Das won the toss and opted to field first.

The Tigers got their first scalp of the innings in the sixth over when Dhawan tried to reverse sweep against Miraz but only managed to drag the ball onto his stumps.

But Rohit and Kohli spent a seamless period throughout the remainder of the powerplay as India ended on 48-1 after the powerplay.

Then came Shakib, and the tables turned. In the first over after the powerplay, the left-arm spinner foxed Rohit with a brilliant arm ball, which the Indian batter played all around to see his stumps rattled.

But the highlight of the innings came a ball later. Kohli, trying to play a delivery away from his body, looped it in the air. And the rest was magic from Liton.

The new Bangladesh skipper flung his body in the air, and with style, grabbed the ball with both hands to send back Kohli, who was left stunned and speechless.

Ebadot then sent Shreyas Iyer back for 24 with a short delivery that the Indian batter could not manoeuvre and ended up getting a top edge, which Mushfiqur Rahim took with ease.

Rahul and Washington put together a 60-run stand, but Shakib’s quick strikes meant they went from 152-4 to 156-8.

Rahul fought a lone battle, which ended in the 40^th over when Ebadot got him with another good short ball.

Ebadot also picked the last wicket of Mohammad Siraj, who could not deal with another well-directed short ball from the Bangladesh pacer.