Bangladesh 251 for 2 (Soumya Sarkar 127*, Tamim Iqbal 64, Mushfiqur Rahim  49*, Junaid Khan 2-67) beat Pakistan 250 (Azhar 101, Haris Sohail 52, Shakib Al Hasan 2-34, Arafat Sunny 2-43, Mashrafee Bin Murtaza2-44) by eight wickets

Man of the Match: Soumya Sarkar, Man of the Series: Tamim Iqbal

Brave  tigers ably piloted by majestic Mashrafee outplayed, outclassed, outgunned and overwhelmed Pathetic Pakistan whitewashing them in the three matches ODI series bringing the delight of December in April for all Bangladeshis all over the world. Playing like real Royal Bengal tigers they won the third and final ODI they won by 8 wickets with more than 10 overs to spare.

Pakistan looked badly bruised, battered and shell shocked. They experienced dramatic collapse while batting losing 8 wickets for mere 47 runs and while bowling looked a disorganized, disjoined looking combination all the way. Bangladesh magnificently recovered from initial reverse and demonstrated immense maturity while chasing. Emerging Soumya Sarkar scored a brilliant unbeaten maiden ton, Tamim and Mushfique again batted with great responsibility.

Nightmare of Pakistan cricket team got extended in Bangladesh trip. Bravo Mashrafee squad ,you deserve all the praise of the proud nation .Bangladesh now achieved ODI series white wash against three test playing countries New Zealand , Zimbabwe and Pakistan . Pakistan lost to a far better team Bangladesh. They now have to do a lot to save T20 and Test Series as Tigers are really looking ferocious and brave.

Shakib and Mahamudullah were confident from before the series. Knowledgeable cricket admirers could predict a series win. Few brave ones went to the extent of predicting a series white wash. But who could guess the manner in which that happened. Victory margins were 79 runs, 7 wickets and 8 wickets .Star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib had to bat only 31 deliveries in the series, Shabbir and Nasir hardly got batting opportunities. A bowling attack comprising of Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Rahat Ali, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafiz were treated like ordinary back street boys. Tigers issued danger signal for India, South Africa and Australia for the upcoming cricket visit to Bangladesh.

On the day Azhar won the toss again and without any hesitation decided to bat again. Pakistan made three changes. Debutant Sami Aslam came in place of Sarfraz, Umar Gul replaced Rahat Ali and Zulfiqur Babar was drafted in for Saeed Ajmal. Those who say morning shows the day was proved very wrong in case of Pakistan on the day. Azhar and Sami batted brilliantly blasting Taskin, Rubel all around the park. Only papa tiger Mashrafee bowled intelligently with his measured seam movement and swing. He kept on shuffling his bowling resources. Seven different bowlers bowled within the first 18 overs before Nasir could get rid of a good looking debutant Sami Aslam for an impressive 45 runs.

Pakistan opening partnership produced 91 in 18 overs. Captain Azhar played several scintillating strokes. In came experienced Hafiz the professor. His nightmare continued. Arafat Sunny foxed him in playing a casual careless stroke. We are sure it will take a while before Hafiz forgets his poor irresponsible batting display in the series. Harris Sohail joined his skipper in a very productive third wicket partnership. Runs were coming thick and fast and few twitted at that rate Pakistan may score 350. But new Bangladesh marshalled by never say die Mashrafee did not lose heart and kept plugging away.

Azhar Ali was brilliantly bowled by Shakib after he scored a sparkling century (101) ending a 98 runs partnership. It was after 5 years a Pakistani captain scored a century in ODI after Shahid Afridi did it in 2010.Belive it or not Misbah had no ODI century in his career as captain of Pakistan.

Captain’s exit triggered a dramatic collapse from the batting power play. Pakistan lost their last 8 wickets for mere 47 runs. Shakib, Sunny, Mashrafee and finally Rubel in his last spell breathed fire and venom. It was a terrific exhibition of aggressive bowling and brilliant fielding. The catch Nasir took was brilliant. On a wicket where pace bowlers had no purchase past master Mashrafee bowled with excellent control. Young Taskin has lot to learn yet from his Guru. The measure of a good bowler depends on how well he can adjust to changing conditions. Mashrafee, Shakib, Sunny and Rubel grabbed 2 wickets each. Bangladesh seems to have learnt Aussie lessons. As soon as they have a sniff, they pounce on and go for the kill now. Taste of blood makes tigers menacing .Tigers are really maturing.

Bangladesh chase was a fairy tale. Soumya was batting with supreme confidence. Tamim was in a business. He kept his calm and guided talented young partner. There was no hurry .Bangladeshi openers went about their business very confidently playing each ball to their merit. They appeared on a mission and went about like a professional unit. Soumya Sarkar is a discovery of the last world cup where he impressed many. In the first two ODI he showed some nerves. But yesterday he looked confident and assured. He matched Tamim strokes by stroke.

The opening pair scored a scorching 145 in 153 deliveries when terrific Tamim was adjudged LBW a marginal decision that could go either way. Tamim scored 64 taking his series tally to 312runs. Soumya went on scoring his maiden century and remained unbeaten for 127. His innings included 13 boundaries and as many as 6 over boundaries. Bangladesh has welcomed the emergence of a new gladiator. We are sure world cricket will see more of him soon. Mushfique had to appear as Mahamudullah again failed to score much. What can be said about majestic Mushfique? The run machine scored yet another unbeaten 49. The unfinished 3rd wicket partnership added 97 runs in less than 12 overs.

No Pakistani bowler Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Umar Gul, Hafiz or Babar could make any impression on strong Bangladesh batting. This attack in not too distant past humiliated mighty Australians in UAE and also almost rocked them at Adelaide Oval World Cup Quarter finals. A series white was is a great achievement. Bangladesh cricket is really on a march forward.

A mission accomplished for the Tiger Squad of Mashrafee. The white wash brought joy to all Bangladeshis all over the world. Bangladesh advanced fair in ICC ODI ranking closing on West Indies and Pakistan.  In this prolific form they have already announced danger signal to India, South Africa and Australia for their upcoming tour to Bangladesh. Pakistan will have to play a T20 match and two tests. They will have to do a lot to survive comprehensive all format series humiliation.

Cricket has really become a binding force for the nation. We hope Bangladesh can make a comprehensive plan for developing cricket at grass root level. We must start planning for ICC World Cup 2019 from now. Tigers have brought us to a level from where we can no longer look back. Sky must be our limit now.


BDST: 1015 HRS, APR 23, 2015
BD/SMS