Mirpur: Team India snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the first ODI against Bangladesh here on Sunday evening.
Asked to bat first, India were bowled out for 186 in just 41.2 overs. But their bowlers did well to bounce back strongly on a helpful pitch at Sher-E-Bangla Stadium, reducing Bangladesh to 136/9.
However, the last-wicket pair of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman rode their luck to cross the line with an incredible unbeaten 51-run partnership.
Some poor fielding by the Indians helped Bangladesh’s cause. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul dropped a simple catch after having run back and got hold of the skier, while Washington Sundar was to slow to react at thirdman, giving Mehidy two reprieves.
Mehidy was the man of the moment for Bangladesh, as he took it upon himself to shield No. 11 batter Mustafizur Rahman and get most of the required runs.
Mohammed Siraj (3/32) was India’s best bowler, while offie Washington Sundar and debutant pacer Kuldeep Sen bagged 2 wickets apiece.
Earlier, India’s star-studded top order failed to deliver on a track where strokeplay wasn’t easy. After the dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan (7), skipper Rohit Sharma (27), Virat Kohli (9) and Shreyas Iyer (24), Rahul showed his class with a classy 73 off 70 balls.
But he undid his good work with the bat by grassing Mehidy’s catch towards the end of Bangladesh innings.
Brief scores: India 186 all out in 41.2 overs (KL Rahul 73; Shakib Al Hasan 5/36, Ebadot Hossain 4/47). Bangladesh 187/9 in 46 overs (Litton Das 41, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 38*).
Result: Bangladesh won by 1 wicket.
2nd ODI: India vs Bangladesh on Dec 7 (11.30 am IST) at Mirpur.
