Bangladesh vs India tri-nation ODI match 2008: India is in final round after clinching host Bangladesh by 7 wickets

Bangladesh lost to Indian cricket team on Thursday in Mirpur Shere Bangla National Stadium by 7 wickets and 14.5 overs to spare in their “do or die” match where they needed to win by a bonus point to book their place in the final. Indian opening pair Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir demolished Bangladeshi bowling attack. Bangladesh team fell under pressure after losing two quick wickets by young star Praveen Kumar. Raqibul Hasan's 89 would make some protest and help the host team to make a modest score of 222.
Gautum Gambhir’s fifth ODI century and Virender Sehwag’s quick fifty against Bangladesh extended India’s dominance in the Kitply Cup. To make the place in the final round Bangladesh team needed to get win by 45 runs or more. Indian openers throw the water in their hope to do another upset.
If umpire did not refuse the lbw that was appealed by Mashrafe Mortaza, match could turn in different way. Pair Farhad Reza also failed to stop this storm. Virender got one chance and used it in proper way. Then skipper rely on new comer Dolar Mahmud. Taking the wicket, he raised hope and rhythm again. However, his opening pair Gautum Gambhir got a few lives in his way of century against host team. He was dropped by Alok Kapali. He was saved from a run out. At last he left the field remains unbeaten 107 with Suresh Raina. Bangladesh could show something especial if fielders could do their job in a good manner. We can see some miss fielding on the field. Both Abdur Razzak and Farhad Reza claimed one wicket each.
Bangladeshi skipper Mohammad Ashraful won the toss and elected to bat first. It was really a good decision in this condition but top order batsmen failed to prove it. Raqibul Hasan was the highest run scorer. Cricket fans saw a different Ashraful on the field. He played a slog over match and scored 36 runs where he hit only 2 boundaries. You may hurt to see the manner in this way he batted if you expected to see aggressive batting. Selectors may have to find new captain for Bangladesh team. Tail ender Mashrafe Mortaza hit the only one six.
Bangladesh was 93 for 3 and crossing double figure was really impossible. However, Indian bowlers could bundle the host within 222 runs. Rudra Pratap Singh got 3 wickets for 46 in just 10 overs.
Gautum Gambhir was announced “player of the match”.
Now, two arch-rival India and Pakistan teams will face in the final match of the tri-nation ODI match on 14th June, 2008. This mach will be held at Shere Bangla National Stadium.
Click here if you want to see the match details- Bangladesh vs India Tri Series 2008: Live Updates