Miraz magic leads Bangladesh to ODI series triumph over India

|| CF DESK ||

Mehidy Hasan Miraz showed an all-round performance to help Bangladesh clinch consecutive ODI series win over India as the hosts beat the blues by five runs in second ODI on Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

The Tigers came out victorious by 2-1 in the ODI series the last time India toured Bangladesh in 2015.

Injured skipper Rohit Sharma batted at number nine and played a heroic innings to almost pull off a remarkable win, scoring 51 off just 28 balls, but his effort was in vain.

Mustafizur Rahman of the Tigers bowled a maiden in the 48th over against India's number 10 batter Mohammad Siraj, and India needed 40 runs from 12 balls after 48 overs.

Rohit smashed two sixes in Mahmudullah's over, but Bangladesh fielders dropped Rohit's catch twice, once by Ebadot Hossain in short fine-leg and once by Anamul Haque Bijoy in deep square leg.

Mustafiz came in for Bangladesh's final over, with India still needing 20 runs to tie the series. Rohit scored two boundaries in the first four balls, meaning India needed two sixes in the final two deliveries of the game.

Mustafiz bowled a superb yorker in the final ball of the match, which Rohit failed to connect properly, and Bangladesh won by five runs.

Within five overs, India lost experienced Virat Kohli (5) and Shikhar Dhawan (8) as Ebadot Hossian bowled Kohli in the second over and Mustafizur bowled Dhawan in the third. In the tenth over, India lost their third wicket, Washington Sundar, who was on 11.

Off-spinner Miraz removed KL Rahul on 14 after about 10 overs. With the fifth wicket partnership of Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer, India recovered from an early wicket loss. Miraz dismissed Iyer for 82 in the 35th over, breaking the 107-run stand.

After right-arm pacer Ebadot removed the batter on 56, Bangladesh found the sixth India wicket in Axar in the 39th over.

Earlier, Miraz hit his maiden ODI century and shared a record seventh-wicket stand with Mahmudullah Riyad as Bangladesh posted a challenging total after a batting collapse. 

Bangladesh were able to post 271 for seven after losing six for only 69 at one point in the game, thanks to Miraz's unbeaten 83-ball 100 and a 148-run seventh-wicket stand between him and Mahmudullah.

The massive partnership between Miraz and Mahmudullah is Bangladesh's highest for any wicket against India.

The previous best in this category was a 133-run third-wicket stand between Bijoy and Mushfiqur Rahim against India in Fatullah in 2014.

Miraz and Mahmudullah's partnership also broke the record for the highest seventh-wicket stand by any team against India, surpassing an unbeaten 126-run stand for the seventh wicket between Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Upul Chandana against India in 2005.

With quick wickets of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Afif Hossain, Washington Sundar put the home side under immense pressure; however, Mehidy continued his good form from the previous game, and Mahmudullah also played the anchor role effectively.

Miraz batted run-a-ball for the majority of the innings, while Mahmudullah was happy to bide his time. The latter played his role before Umran Malik got him out for 77 off 96 balls.

Nasum Ahmed came out with attacking intent and struck some lusty blows in his enterprising knock of 18 off 11. Miraz read Shardul Thakur's slower balls well and hit two sixes in the final over before taking a single in the last ball to complete the ton.