Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh beat India by seven wickets in their first Twenty20 International cricket match at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday. The Tigers played the first T20I against India without Bangladesh’s icon player Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib was banned for two years for breaching Anti Corruption Code of International Cricket Council (ICC) recently. It was for the first time Bangladesh defeated India in a Twenty20 International match.
Sent into bat first, India scored 148 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh romped home making 154 runs for the loss of three wickets when they had just three balls to spare.
Bangladesh made a sorrow start as opener Liton Das (7) was caught at the cover by KL Rahul off Deepak Chahar when Bangladesh’s score was just eight.
Then Mohammad Naim and Soumya Sarkar repaired the damage contributing together 46 runs for the second wicket partnership before Naim was caught at the long-on by Shikhar Dhawan off Yuzvendra Chahal when the tourists’ total was 54 for the loss of two wickets.
Naim made 26 from 28 balls featuring two fours and a sixer.
Later, Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim mended the innings adding together 60 runs in the third wicket stand before Soumya Sarkar was cleanly bowled out by Khaleel Ahmed when Bangladesh’s score was 114 for the loss of three wickets.
Soumya Sarkar hit 39 from 35 balls including two sixes and a four.
Then Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad guided their team to reach the victory spot. Mushfiqur Rahim remained inbeaten with 60. He hit eight fours and a sixer in his 43-ball splendid innings. Mushfiqur Rahim was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding batting performance.
Riyad remained unbeaten with 15 runs.
Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan of India top-scored with 41 runs. He hit three fours and a sixer in his 42-ball innings.
Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer also shone with the willow making 27 and 22 runs respectively.
Aminul Islam Biplob and Shafiul Islam bagged a couple of wickets each for 22 and 36 runs respectively.
Afif Hossain took one wicket for 11 runs.
