Tigers Pakistan Bashing

Bangladesh Vs Pakistan Third ODI Played at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium Dhaka

* Bangladesh 251 for 2 (Soumya Sarkar 127*, Tamim Iqbal 64, Mushfiqur 49*, Junaid Khan 2-67) beat *Pakistan 250 (Azhar 101, Haris Sohail 52, Shakib Al Hasan 2-34, Arafat Sunny 2-43, Rubel  2/43 and Mashrafe 2-44,) by eight wickets
* Bangladesh Won theSeries: 3-0 (a series white wash)
* Man of the Match: Soumya Sarkar, Man of theSeries: Tamim Iqbal

Brave tigers had yet another empathetic victory by eight wickets against pathetic Pakistan in the third and final ODI of three matches ODI series to complete an impressive series white wash. Batting first Pakistan was on a roller coaster early as they raced to 203/2 by 39 th over. But a dramatic collapse following exit of captain Azhar Ali falling to a superb arm delivery of Shakib led to a dramatic collapse as they got all out 250 losing 8 wickets for a mere 47 runs. New Bangladesh oozing in confidence cruised to victory losing only two wickets by 40th over.

Experts tagged Bangladesh pre series favorites following their impressive performance in ICC World Cup 2015 and Pakistan have depleted batting after world cup following retirement of key players Misbah and Afridi and disciplinary action on Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad. Few started talking about series white wash following the win by 79 runs in the first ODI,. But no one could really predict that Bangladesh will unleash Pakistan bashing whipping them 7 and 8 wickets drubbing in imperious style. Pakistan was bruised, battered and embarrassed by margin of victory failing to create any contest.
Pakistan made three changes replacing struggling wicket keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed with a teenager debutant Sami Aslam, changing Rahat Ali with experienced Umar Gul and bringing in Zulfqur Babar in place of Saeed Ajaml. How much and to what extent this benefitted Pakistan let Inzamam , Miandad , Ramiz Raza or Wasim Bari analyze that . But the margin of defeat widened in the last match. Azhar Ali the new captain however continued his good form scoring 101, a Pakistan Captain scoring ODI century after 5 years since Shahid Afridi did it in 2010. Debutant Sami also looked impressive in his in his 50 balls 45 maiden innings. The pair put on a good looking 91 in 18 overs before part timer Nasir got rid of the debutant. The vital blow was dealt by Arafat Sunny getting rid of Professor Hafiz. His misery continued. This time got out after scoring only 4. His three failures will possibly bring curtain in his career unless he plays some long innings too soon.

On an easy paced batting paradise Mashrafee bowled with exemplary control .But Taskin and Rubel faltered and got spanked. Desperate Mashrafee juggled with his bowling resources using as many as 7 bowlers in the first 22. The wicket had some purchase for the spinners which Shakib, Sunny and Nasir exploited. But Azhar and Haris batted smartly and at one stage the score reached 203/2 when Azhar completed his impressive century with 10 glorious strokes across the fence. Shakib foxed him with a trade mark arm delivery. From then on panic set in the Pakistan camp. Mashrafee struck two vital blow removing Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam. Pakistan innings collapsed dramatically. At one stage when Azhar and Haris were cruising talks were around for a 320 -330 target. But eventually the score of 250 on the wicket looked pretty ordinary. Mashrafee, Shakib, Sunny and Rubel chipped in with two wickets each.
Bangladesh reply was really a fairy tale. Terrific Tamim chose to let his junior partner Soumya Sarkar to tweet. He was playing all aggressive strokes while Tamim observed with appreciation from the other end. But he also joined the party with his trade mark cover drives, cuts and pulls runs started flowing like fountain. The pair put on 145 impressive runs in 25.3 overs when Tamim was adjudged LBW to Junaid Khan – a marginal decision that could go either way. Tamim’s adoring fans wanted him score a hat trick of centuries. But he did not his partner the emerging batting hero Soumya did. For a maiden century in 10th ODI this youngster played a classic innings of unbeaten 127 in 110 deliveries. There were many delightful strokes. His sparkling innings was studded with 13 boundaries and as many as six over boundaries. A new star was born. World cricket will hear much more about him soon.

Only Mahamudullah missed out. But no worry this quality batsman will soon return to form. Mushfique came and runs continue to ooze from the run machine. The victory came before he could complete yet another impressive half century remaining unbeaten on 49 .Bangladesh had game, set and series.
The white wash meant a lot for both Bangladesh and Pakistan. Bangladesh closed the gap in ICC ranking significantly with Pakistan and West Indies. Pakistan dropped below West Indies to position eight. Bangladesh is now in hand shaking distance. Teams have to be with in top eight to qualify automatically for ICC world cup 2019 by December 2017. The way Bangladesh is going it may not be out of their reach.
Time heals but bleeding that that emanates from Bangladesh bashing of Pakistan will haunt them for a long while. Bangladesh is really growing as a potent cricket force in world arena. If they can consolidate they will challenge stronger opposition. Will any one believe that Shakib Al Hasan the top ICC all-rounder required batting for only 31 deliveries in the entire three ODIs , Shabbir and Nasir hardly batted yet Bangladesh won three ODIs back to back against strong Pakistan by massive margins?
Bangladeshis have festivals in February, March April and December . April 2015 will be remembered in future for massive turning around for Bangladesh cricket team as a milestone.