Hindustan Times (Amritsar)

GAMECHANGE­RS

The final was a humdinger. Shakib Al Hasan’s side were determined to break its hoodoo against India and came close. But Dinesh Karthik snatched win from jaws of defeat.

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BANGLADESH JOLTED BY TWO RUN OUTS

After a shaky start, Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudulla­h had steadied the ship with a solid partnershi­p. However, in the 15th over, a misunderst­anding resulted in Mahmudulla­h getting run out for 21. Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh skipper, was also run-out in the quest for quick runs. Both the batsmen were key after Bangladesh had lost early wickets. However, Sabbir hung in and notched up his fourth fifty to set a base for Bangladesh’s challengin­g total.

MEHIDY HASAN’S LASTOVER HEROICS

At 148/8, Bangladesh had lost three wickets in three overs. Mehidy Hasan had other ideas. The right-hander spotted Shardul Thakur’s knuckle balls and got boundaries off them. He also got a six. The final over yielded 18 runs.

LULL IN THE MIDDLE OVERS

India were well-placed at 81/2 after nine overs. Rohit Sharma had reached his fifty and the team looked like they’ll coast to victory. But KL Rahul’s wicket (for 24) boosted Bangladesh’s bowlers and over the next 29 deliveries, they gave away just 19 runs and did not concede a single boundary. Bangladesh got a bonus in the form of Rohit Sharma’s wicket for 56 and suddenly they looked in the game.

WICKETMAID­EN BY MUSTAFIZ

India had fallen behind in the end and the setting was right for Mustafizur Rahman to show his magic. In the 18th over, Vijay Shankar was under immense pressure. The Fizz bowled four off-cutters in the right length. Shankar missed all four times and he could manage just a leg bye on the fifth ball. The pressure of the dot balls told on Manish Pandey and he holed out to long on for 28.

22 RUNS, DK STYLE

With 34 needed off 12, India needed a miracle and Dinesh Karthik provided it. He got off the mark in style with a six off Rubel Hossain and followed it up with two fours and a six. The 19th over yielded 22 runs and India needed 12 runs in the final over. The first five balls yielded just six runs, with Vijay Shankar hitting a boundary before getting out. However, Karthik carved a full and wide ball over deep extra cover to bring the Nidahas Trophy to India.

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