Rejuvenated team tigers rewrote few pages in its vibrant cricket history winning the first ever T20 international against strong team India by a huge margin of 7 wickets at Indian Capital New Delhi. A new milestone was achieved and anew beginning was made. 

Bangladesh for the first time in many games appeared without three of its five top players who glorified Bangladesh cricket in the recent past. Moreover, it happened at a time when Bangladesh cricket was smarting from a series of negative development due to disputes between players and BCB, team captain and Top ranked all rounder Shakib getting suspension for not informing about bookie approaching his for match fixing and some other unfortunate development related to some members of BCB. Bangladesh has a completely revamped coaching staff and some fresh players. 

India on the other hand is now a very formidable unit and at own backyard almost unbeatable in any format. Cricket admirers in the wildest of dreams could not fashion Bangladesh blowing out India. It was a clinical performance with Team tigers dominating in all aspects of the game. They bowled brilliantly restricting India to a chase able target, fielded like greyhounds sharp on their prey and batted with supreme confidence. Now with their nose in front Bangladesh needs consistency and hold on to the can do attitude.

Bangladesh appears in the second match of the three-match series at Rajkot on 7 November. A deep depression is formed a Bay of Bengal. It is intensifying and may hit Indian surface any time between Thursday midnight and Friday morning. Hope the match on Thursday evening remains rain free. A Bangladesh win will secure a historic series win. Bangladesh won its first ever T20 match against India on their 9th attempt on the other day.

One must not loose focus how the new coach from South Africa Domingo have sewed the team up in one thread. It was not unlikely that the team morale could be sagging from the effects of what were happening over the past weeks. It was not easy integrating some new faces with the experienced senior players.

Moreover, the might of formidable opponents, their home crowd and above all unfriendly smoky environment created huge challenges. But a happy go merry Bangladesh unit defied all challenges. Right from the moment Mahmudullah called the coin right and set India to bat 11 brave tigers jumped on their prey. Shafiul and Al Amin bowled intelligently directing their attack on the right channel. Shafiul was moving off the seam and Al Amin was taking the ball away piching on the corridor of uncertainty.

Debutant Aminul and rookie Afif were picture perfect with their teasing length and mysterious turn. Quality Indian batting appeared huffing and puffing as Bangladesh was also pretty sharp in the field. In all actions team tigers meant business. Only few last minutes hefty blows by Washington Shundar and Pandya could raise the score to 148/6. In modern T20 it is not a score to worry about. Shafiul and Aminul got 2 wickets each. Afif bowled miserly accurate getting one. Shikhar Dhawan got himself run out.

Bangladesh response did not start on right track. Liton fell early. But debutant Naim looked superb. He played some elegant strokes and Soumya was also in his elements. These two put a solid foundation which was consolidated by Soumya and Mushfiq. The later was a bit lucky with Rohit not taking a review. But fortunate favours the brave and Mushfiq was brave. Soumya was gone after playing a good innings. But brave Mishfiq championed the Bangladesh chase with a stroke full unbeaten 60 in 43 deliveries. Mahmudullah was his ideal foil. Few times this very pair failed to anchor the boat from handshaking distance to the shore. But a new look Bangladesh shocked and awed team India.

With their nose in front Bangladesh team needs consolidating. We are not sure we should suggest changing a winning combination or not. I would have been tempted playing Arafat Sunny but whom he would replace. Bangladesh bowling unit bowled superbly as a team. Perhaps Mustafiz looked a bit out of sorts. India would bounce back with vengeance. The second match would be do or die for them. In such situation team become vulnerable. Mahmudullah must exploit. A win on 7th November would take Bangladesh cricket to new heights. Indian team selection would come under scrutiny. 

BDST: 1217 HRS, NOV 06, 2019
RS/SMS