Published: Jun 22, 2015, 05:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 22, 2015, 05:40 PM (IST)
Young Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman created history when he picked up six wickets against India in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Dhaka on Sunday. With this, he became the first cricketer to pick up 11 wickets in his first two ODIs , bettering Brian Vitori’s record of 10. Sudatta Mukherjee writes about other great performances by Bangladesh cricketers against India in ODIs.
Mahmudullah – The batsman may be remembered for becoming the first centurion for Bangladesh in World Cup history and scoring back-to-back hundreds in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, but the right-hand batsman has a long relationship with India. Mahmudullah has played 11 ODIs against India and has a decent average of 44.83. In his third ODI against India, Mahmudullah scored an unbeaten 60, steering Bangladesh’s total to 296. In the next ODI, he scored yet another unbeaten half-century — 64. Even though India’s batting was too good for Bangladesh bowlers, it was Mahmudullah’s knock that invariably helped Bangladesh post respectful totals. READ: India’s overseas woes touch new lows with series defeat to Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan – The Bangladesh all-rounder may not appear to be one of the aggressive cricketers from the nation, but over the years he has hurt India with bat and ball. Shakib has played 14 ODIs against India in the last eight years. He has a batting average of 39.41, and has taken 16 wickets. Shakib has scored seven half-centuries against India out of his 30, which is the most number of half-centuries against any country by him. Even in the second ODI, he stuck till the end, ensuring Bangladesh defeated India comfortably, thus scripting a new chapter in the nation’s ODI history.
Mushfiqur Rahim – The wicketkeeper-batsman comes across as one who can can have little effect on the opposition. Going by his physical appearance, no side could feel insecure. However, the 28-year-old, who made his debut as a 16-year-old, can give strong competition on his day. He has been one of the leading cricketers among Bangladesh’s current generation. Mushfiqur has played 17 matches against India and has an average of 37.92. He has scored 493 runs over the last eight years, and in his first match against India, he scored an unbeaten 56. This was the ICC World Cup 2007 group match, when Bangladesh handed India defeat, ending their World Cup journey in the group stage. Over the years, Mushfiqur has agonised India. One of his three ODI centuries was scored against India, in Asia Cup 2014, but it eventually turned out to be for a losing cause. With lots of cricket left in him, and with the birth of a new breed of Bangladesh cricketers, Mushfiqur’s experience is sure to provide the side even better days. READ: Bangladesh — What is so special about this team?
Tamim Iqbal – The Bangladesh opener is unstoppable. His recent performances against India portrays the kind of cricket he has inside him to unnerve the opposition. Tamim, was involved with Soumya Sarkar in a century partnership for the opening wicket against India in the first ODI. He scored 60 runs. Along with Mushfiqur, Tamim was one of those Bangladesh cricketers to hurt India during the ICC World Cup 2007. He scored 51 from 53 balls in that famous match of the event. Six of his half-centuries have come against India. Out of his 30 fifties, Tamim has scored six each, the most, against Zimbabwe and India.
Mustafizur Rahman – He made his debut against India in the first ODI at Dhaka in the three-match series. He flummoxed the batsmen with his variations. He followed fellow Bangladesh bowler Taskin Ahmed by picking up five wickets in his debut match. He followed this up with another effective bowling spell, taking six wickets. Mustafizur breathes new life into the Bangladesh bowling line-up. He has given enough headache to India to worry about the final match. The Bangladesh board needs to protect the young talent, and guide him well. READ: Mustafizur Rahman: Another example of Bangladesh’s growing pool of talent
Taskin Ahmed – Another young pacer in Bangladesh’s line-up, Taskin Ahmed has played five matches against India. He has a remarkable bowling average of 13.08. He was his side’s star bowler in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final, in which he picked up three crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane. In five ODIs against India, Taskin has already picked up 12 wickets. With lots of cricket left in him, the 20-year-old can be expected to traumatise India in future.
Mashrafe Mortaza – He may not have been able to better his first bright ODI performance against India, but Mortaza’s four-wicket haul in ICC World Cup 2007 was the key behind India’s downfall and Bangladesh’s success in the match. Mortaza single-handedly destroyed the Indian batting, removing Virender Sehwag and Robin Uthappa in quick succession, to provide the ideal start to Bangladesh’s bowlers. India managed only 191 before being bowled out. It was left for the Bangladesh batsmen to ensure India’s exit from the tournament. Mortaza might not have played a big role in his side’s recent success in ODIs, but his aggression and on-field words of wisdom and encouragement in tough situations have been vital for Bangladesh’s success.
(Sudatta Mukherjee is a reporter with CricketCountry. Other than writing on cricket, she spends penning random thoughts on her blog. When she is not writing, you will catch her at a movie theatre or watching some English television show on her laptop. Her Twitter handle is @blackrosegal)
