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Classical win for Tigers

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Published: 09:07, 11 June 2017   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Classical win for Tigers

Bangladesh creates a history again in Cardiff of England. Tigers clinched an epic win over New Zealand at Sophia Gardens on Friday overcoming the early collapse. Tigers have offered a very classical and mind-blowing game. Their victory cannot be compared to any kind of adjective.

Fabulous centuries from Mahmadullah and Shakib al Hasan helped Bangladesh recover from 33-4 and knock New Zealand out of the Champions Trophy. Earlier, restricting the Kiwis to 265/8 in 50 overs helped keep the hope of Tigers alive for the semi-finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy. To chase the 266-run target, Tigers lost four wickets at only 33 runs which made the fans disappointed. Almost all the fans left their hope and stopped watching the match although many of them repented for their decision.

Most of those who kept watching the match with patience cannot imagine that Bangladesh will present its fans a very lovely game. Grabbing the five-wicket victory over New Zealand with 16 balls remaining in hand is just matchless in a word. The fifth-wicket duo added a record 224 runs to surpass the previous highest Bangladesh partnership of 178 set by Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim against Pakistan as Cardiff remained a lucky ground for the Tigers after the historic victory over Australia more than a decade ago. But following the early collapse of wickets, many started thinking of an honourable defeat while many raised huge criticism over the performance of the Tigers. Shakib and Mahmadullah brought a laugh of pleasure to the faces of all fans at the end of the match.

In fact, the history Bangladesh created is rare in the world cricket history. To chase the 266-run target, Bangladesh fell under huge pressure after losing four top-order batsmen early at 33 runs. But Shakib and Mahmadullah's extraordinary performance helped Tigers recover the early fall which was really impossible. Both of them smashed double centuries. They taught that there is no alternative to experience. They have played a very classical game.  

Both Shakib and Mahmadullah have set a rare example in moderate batting in time of need. But prior to that, the fielding dexterity of the Tigers cannot be ignored. It seemed that the Kiwis will score over 300 runs the way they were playing. Taskin Ahmed and Mosaddek worked out well as they shared five wickets between themselves to help restrict the Kiwis to 265/8 in 50 overs. Mosaddek picked up three wickets while Taskin picked up two. 

Prior to this, we defeated New Zealand. Tigers also whitewashed the Kiwis. Despite those wins, Friday's triumph was just a different thing and its taste is very palatable. Specially, such victory in giant event like the Champions Trophy is prompting other cricket playing countries to think of Bangladesh anew.

Sophia Gardens of Cardiff remained a lucky ground for the Tigers after the historic victory over Australia more than a decade ago. Bangladesh clinched the 2005 historic victory depending on the shoulder of Ashraful. He alone defeated the Aussies, the superpower in the cricket world, smashing a century in that match. Friday's triumph made Sophia Gardens of Cardiff a lucky ground once again for the Tigers after the historic victory over New Zealand.

risingbd/DHAKA/June 11, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Amirul

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