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.
BANGLADESH JOLTED BY TWO RUNOUTS
After a shaky start, Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah had steadied the ship. But in the 15th over, a misunderstanding resulted in Mahmudullah getting out for 21. Shakib Al Hasan, the skipper, was also run-out in the quest for quick runs.
MEHIDY HASAN’S LAST OVER 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 ball and scooped a four to fine leg and followed that up with a big six over deep mid-wicket. Mehidy capitalised on another knuckle ball and bisected the gap for another boundary. The final over yielded 18 runs and Bangladesh managed to get to their highest Twenty20 total against India.
MIDDLEOVERS LULL
India were well-placed at 81/2 after nine overs. Rohit Sharma had reached his fifty. But KL Rahul’s wicket (for 24) boosted Bangladesh’s bowlers and in the next 29 balls, they gave away just 19 runs and did not concede a single boundary. Bangladesh got a bonus in Rohit’s wicket for 56.
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.