An unprecedented euphoria continued to sweep across the country as the Tigers after their incredible five wicket victory against New Zealand in Cardiff, Wales on Friday has now being confirmed that they will be playing in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy.
Bangladesh has now finished at the second position after Australia were beaten on Saturday by host England in their last group match. England topped the group while Bangladesh finished at the second position thereby was confirmed they will be playing in the semifinals.
But despite that Tigers fans are still in delirious mood taking about incredible win at Cardiff.
Though it has been renovated Sophia Garden at Cardiff still appears to be a lucky charm for Bangladesh. This was the ground Tigers stamped their first ever image enhancer of Bangladesh cricket when stylish former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful’s scintillating century saw Tigers handed world champions Australia a five wicket to stunned the World Cricket in 2005.
But at that time, it was a shocker but this time the victory came when Tigers were reeling at 33 for 4 from there Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad in an extraordinary fashion carved out a special win which gave them a glimmer of hope of playing in the semifinals.
On Friday, Bangladesh was in a must win situation, a defeat meant Bangladesh would be heading home with one point. But the Tigers delivered when it matters most, defying all the odds registered the most memorable under pressure win in their history. Ashraful engraved his name as first Bangladesh player to record a ton at Cardiff.
A decade later belligerent innings by Shakib Al Hasan (114) and the priceless unbeaten 102 by Mahmudullah once again gave millions of Tiger fans to erupt into unending celebration.
Mahmudullah Riyad etched his name in the record book by becoming the first Bangladeshi player to score centuries in both World Cup and Champions Trophy.
Even dreaming of a victory vanished when the Kiwis pace battery sent Bangladesh wobbling at 33 for four? Maybe there were a few optimistic or cricket fanatics who kept their faith upon the Tigers to still perform miracle.
Mahmudullah and Shakib were not ready throw down the towel, to be precise; Shakib was in his brilliant best inspiring the fight back. He was hardly beaten by the swing, remained undisturbed with the spin, confident against the short balls and uninterrupted with his attacking style.
Mahmudullah gradually grew in confidence, not that he was shaky in the beginning, although his innings he was determined on one thing, not to throw his wicket and in the end he remained unconquered.
The pair played with a purpose, finding the gaps with ease, running hard when required and using their willows when the big shots were required to be played. Their fifth-wicket partnership of 224 – Bangladesh’s highest-ever one-day international stand, surpassing the 178 shared by Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim against Pakistan at Dhaka in 2015 was too much to bear for the Black Caps.
The duo batted brilliantly for 34.5 overs for the fifth wicket thus orchestrating one of the most sensational come back in ODI history. Bangladesh are now in the semifinals, even they fail to move further towards they will be returning home with their heads high, a surely hero’s welcome awaits them definitely.
