Bangladesh 329 for 6 (Tamim Iqbal 132, Mushfiqur Rahim 106, Wahab Riaz 4-59) beat Pakistan 250 (Azhar Ali 72, Mohammad Rizwan 67, Haris Sohail 51, Taskin Ahmed 3-42, Arafat Sunny 3-47) by 79 runs.
Man of the Match: Mushfiqur Rahim

Bengal tigers are off the track on a mission to try and win the first ever ODI series against Pakistan. The started the three matches ODI series with a bang winning comfortably by 79 runs. Several records were tumbled and milestones created. The day had special significance as well. Bangladesh Government in exile was formed on 17 April 1971 during our glorious liberation war. Victory is always sweet and on a special day makes it even sweeter.

Bangladesh recorded its highest ever ODI score 329/6, highest any wicket partnership in ODI -178 in the third wicket between Tamim and Mushfique. The two centuries that Tamim (132) and Musfique (106) scored were also the first occasion in ODI history of Bangladesh. Star Bangladesh opener Tamim got back among runs scoring a sparkling century after March 2013 .Majestic Musfique carry on his exquisite dynamic form. Perhaps adoring tiger fans could not expect more.

Bangladesh did not win any match at any format against Pakistan since the lone historic victory 16 years back in 1997 at ICC world cup at Northampton shire England. It went tantalizingly close of winning a test and an ODI but failed to achieve. This series Bangladesh started as favorites and the win backed up the prediction. Now it is to be seen how the series move on, whether Bangladesh goes on and win it, whether it can white wash Pakistan and improve their ranking in ODI?
 
Bangladesh was in full strength excepting its inspirational captain Mashrafee who had to sit out a match for his suspension for slow over rate in World Cup. Bangladesh had two debutants Saad Nasim and Mohammad Rizwan .They were under a new Captain Azhar Ali who was not in world cup squad .Two of their key players Mohammad Hafiz and Saeed Azmal who missed world cup for different reasons were back. The absence of Misbah and Afridi were keenly felt. Pakistan lacked depth in both bowling and batted and fielded poorly. Against emerging Bangladesh bubbling with supreme confidence Pakistan looked really handicapped.

It all started well with stand in captain Shakib winning the toss and electing to bat. The dilemma of selecting the opening combination was settled with Soumya Sarkar promoted to open with Tamim. It appeared as a right decision not to expose rookie Rony Talukdar in the series opener against quality Pakistan pace attack. Star opener Tamim was expected to produce a Tamim brand special innings and he richly paid back selectors confidence in him playing very sensibly early on and when settled blasting listless Pakistan attack with his trademark cuts , pulls and cover drives.

Young Soumya was a bit edgy and could not last long. In his brief innings he played some good strokes though. Reliable Mahamudullah failed to repeat his superlative form trying to manufacture a stroke off Junaid Khan and losing his furniture early on. Accurate Pakistan pace attack and a little over cautious approach against Aajmal early on somewhat bogged down Bangladesh scoring only 67/2 in 20 overs.

But the advent of Little Mushy injected fresh air. His sweet flamboyance sparked Tamim as well. The pair started cantering. The two world class performers exploited the weak links of Pakistan bowling smashing them all over the park. They were aided by sloppy Pakistan fielding as well. Saad Nasim dropped a caught and bowled opportunity of Tamim. Junaid dropped Mushfique. Getting reprieves the two ran riot. Even the return of Wahab Riaz, Junaid and Ajmal failed to stem the flow of runs. Saeed Aajmal was targeted with savage attacks. He conceded 63 runs in his last 5 overs. His 10 overs for 74 was his worst in his ODI career. For the ace spinner it was a sad return after mending his action. Tamim eventually got out scoring 132 in 135 deliveries studded with 15 fours and three sixes. Musfique was more adventurous .He brought the momentum while the innings was about to lose direction and kept .His 106 in only 77 deliveries mattered most in Bangladesh posting its record 329/6 score in ODI. Shakib (31) and Shabbir quick fire 15 off 7 also added slat to Pakistan’s injury.

Pakistani pacers did not bowl all that bad on the easy paced wicket. Maintaining a tight off stump corridor line they could keep the batsmen in check. But once Mushfique triggered the mayhem and Pakistan failed to accept their opportunities everything went out of hands. Yet Wahab Riaz managing to get 4/ 59 evidenced his growing stature as a premiere fast bowler.

330 in ODI is always a difficult target to chase. For a Pakistan team with depleted batting resource it was more difficult. Moreover, this Bangladesh team has quality bowlers and field well. Yet the new captain Azhar Ali (72), Haris Sohail (51) and debutant Rizwan (67) were looking good. But two tried and tested batsmen Hafiz and Fawad Alam failed to rise to the occasion. Hafiz was unfortunately run out and Fawad could score only 14. Pakistan could go as far as 250 still lost by 79 runs. Young Bangladesh pacer Taskin at times bowled really quickly. His 3 / 42 took the cream out of Pakistan batting. Arafat Sunny tricked with 3/47. Bangladesh broke the hoodoo of 16 years.

With 1-0 up in the three matches ODI series Bangladesh is now firm favorites for winning the series. Mashrafee will return in the next match replacing Abul Hasan. The coming back to form of Tamim is great. A consistent Tamim at the top always creates comfort in the rest of the batting. Bangladesh needs to look at its lack of efficiency of rotating strikes against tight bowling. At international level against quality bowling it is always wise to rotate the strikes to make the bowlers constantly bowl against two different batsmen.

Bangladesh has to improve in this area. Getting bogged down at critical stage of the match creates pressure on the incoming batsman. Always Mushfique even may not create the tempo. We liked not including Mominul in ODI. He is a special player for test match. He must not be risked in ODI. Let him concentrate in test as we have other options now.

Pakistan with two debutants and new look team did not do all that bad under new captain. This team still has some world class performers. They will bounce back and it is in their cricket character that they play well when they have their back to the wall. The second ODI will see a resurging Pakistan for sure. Bangladesh must not get complacent and must not lose focus. A series win will put Bangladesh in better position in ICC ODI ranking, a series white wash will be even better. But that may not be easy though. Pakistan is always a very difficult team to predict.

BDST: 1025 HRS, APR 18, 2015
HB