Pool A: Bangladesh Vs Scotland Played at Saxton Oval, Napier
Bangladesh 322 /4 (Tamim Iqbal 95, Mahamudullah Riad 62, Mushfiqur Rahim 60, Shakib All Hasan 52* , Sabbir Rahman 42 ) beat Scotland 318/8 ( Kj Coetrzer 158 ,PL Momsen 39, MW Machan 35, Taskin Ahmed 3/43 , Nasir Hossain 2/32 ) by 6 Wickets
Tigers survived the Scottish scare at Saxton Oval Nelson. Chasing a huge 319 to win Bangladesh batted superbly to earn a majestic win of a must win game of Pool A of World Cup 2015 brightening its chances of advancing to quarter finals. Scotland put into bat on an easy paced small ground with fast outfield posted an impressive 318/8 in their allotted overs. Bangladesh chasing gracefully all the way, won by 6 wickets scoring 322 /4 with 11 balls to spare. This important win has placed Bangladesh in a comfortable position for the battle for a berth with England on 9th March 2015 at Adelaide Oval. Bangladesh now has 5 points from four matches and England has two. England with need to win matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan while Bangladesh has to win one in two matches against England and New Zealand.
Chasing the huge target Bangladesh batted with supreme determination and courage. Tamim struggling with his form a little batted superbly all the way in his score 95 off 100 balls. His classical cover drives, on drives, cuts and pulls were in full display. Tamim gave fitting reply to his critics with his blazing bat. After early exit of young Soumya reliable Mahamudullah appeared with all the confidence he developed in his consistent recent form. Riad matched Tamim stroke for stroke. The 2nd wicket partnership 139 runs in 21 overs laid the solid foundation for brilliant Mushfique, Shakib and Shabbir gladiate the team to a memorable win. This was the second 300 plus chase in a world cup win and the record for Bangladesh in World CUP.
Earlier on the day, Scotland, put into bat by Mashrafe, batted brilliantly taking advantage of placid wicket and wayward bowling of Bangladeshi bowlers. Rubel and Mashrafe were taken to cleaners by very aggressive Coetzer. He batted like a seasoned professional toying around with Bangladesh bowling in his 134 balls 156 lovely strokeful innings. Young Taskin however bowled intelligently and Nasir Hossain coming to the team for the first time bowled well in the death overs to restrict Scotland who at one stage threatened to score even 330 to 340 runs. Several others – Momsen (39), Machan (35), Berrington (26) got start but Bangladeshi bowlers and fielders could squeeze them out before they could inflict further damage. Bangladesh bowled well in the last stage. The fielding and catching was much better on the day. Mashrafe was perhaps not 100 percent. His bowling lost line and length a little bit on the day. His bowling handling and field setting could be better. But this can happen when determined opposition starts striking everything thrown at them.
A score of 318 in any ODI is still a difficult score to chase though this world cup has seen few occasions of batting of other planet when over 400 were scored. Fee Bangladeshis in social media internet and twitter were getting anxious. The anxiety had logic as Bangladesh had to bat without the regular opener Anamaul Haque dislocating his shoulder while fielding. Moreover, young Soumya Sarkar in his new role as opener also failed to deliver. Tamim was in his belligerent mood on the day and the day his bat smiles Bangladesh looks all together a different side.
Mahamudullah playing at number three injected urgency and dynamism. His partnership with tweeting Tamim kept the scoreboard ticking along the asking rate. Never at any stage could the asking rate go out of sight. They hardly played much in anger. Mahmudullah was unfortunately played on scoring run a ball 62 striking 6 fours and a six. Tamim failed to convert his majestic innings to a century getting out LBW at 95. In this innings Tamim reached 4000 ODI runs being second only after Shakib among the Bangladeshis. Few of his critics were active in social media urging to drop him. We always prescribed that he was an innings away to rediscover his touch. The very moment he struck his first two boundaries we knew this was his day. For chasing a huge target Tamim had to come to his own and he did superbly. It was the day when brilliant pair Musfique and Shakib came at the right order at four and five. How brilliantly they batted. Little dynamite Mushfique lifted the tempo and momentum playing some aggressive strokes. He also kept rotating the strikes with deft touches and delicate placement. His 42 balls 60 eased the tasks of Shakib and Sabbir in cruising home with 11 balls to spare. Shakib started a little cautiously but ensured that there were no last minute dramas. Young Sabbir is impressing all with whatever he does – brilliant fielder, a good bowler and an aggressive middle order batsman. A genius in the making.
Bangladesh has to address few issues before the major match against England on 9 March. Anamul cannot play. Bangladesh does not have a third specialist opener. We are not sure whether it is possible to bring replacement Imrul Kayes from Bangladesh. If not only other option is bringing back Mominul. His confidence might have already been impacted a bit swapping his batting order and dropping him on the day. If his gets in he must bat in his position. Mashrafe appeared over worked. His operated knees seemed to longer agreeing with overwork. The Never Say Die Tiger leader possibly needs rest.
We always said Mushfique and Shakib must bat within top five. This match proved what it meant. The two top players of the team must get most balls in big chase. Mahamudullah at middle order can deliver anywhere. He is silent consistent performer.
BDST: 1544 HRS, MAR 5, 2015
