Sachin Tendulkar was fated to embrace personal success and team failure on a truly mixed day for India here at a raucous Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium.
Bangladesh's spirited chase ruined Tendulkar's glory-hour in the Asia Cup match here on Friday. After the legend's tryst with history through his 100th international hundred, set up India's 289 for five, the host chased down the target with remarkable efficiency in a display of rapid runs and icy-cool nerves. India's loss has opened up the tournament while Pakistan is the lone team that is now assured of a final berth.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Bangladesh raced ahead at 293 for five in 49.2 overs with its captain Mushfiqur Rahim (46 n.o.) amplifying the good work done by a talented Nasir Hossain (54), frenetic Shakib Al Hasan (49), an unconventional Jahurul Islam (53) and the classy Tamim (70).
The host kept the required run-rate within reach right through and when it boiled down to 37 from 24 balls, Mushfiqur, packing a punch in his small frame, carted Irfan Pathan and Praveen Kumar with impunity and soon delirious scenes were witnessed in the stands while the Men in Blue were left stunned.
Tamim extended his form and with Jahurul coasted at a steady clip in a 113-run second-wicket partnership that set the launch-pad for Bangladesh's final assault. Their breezy tempo found full expression in Shakib as the former skipper lashed at Ashoke Dinda, who had replaced an injured Vinay Kumar and smote R. Ashwin.
ADVERTISEMENT
However a marginal call nearly choked Bangladesh when Shakib stretched forward to Ashwin and Dhoni whipped the bails. The replays were inconclusive but in a decision of millimetres, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge pressed the red button.
But the subsequent heroics of Nasir and Mushfiqur proved more than adequate on a night that was a poor reflection of India's bowling, especially its medium pacers.
Earlier, Tendulkar's 49th ODI ton — a key component in his tally of 100 centuries — propped up India once Mushfiqur opted to field. Cricket's highest run-getter scored 114 (147b, 12x4, 1x6) but it was an innings destined to be tinged with defeat's shadow.
Tendulkar's first scoring shot was a leaning drive past covers off Shafiul Islam while at the other end, Gautam Gambhir indulged in the dab-cut and paid the price.
Medley of shots
Tendulkar blended defence with piercing shots but failed to capitalise on two free-hits. He cut Mashrafe Mortaza and a drive off Shafiul left the extra-cover fielder rooted. The Tendulkar of the old returned gradually when he knelt down, cleared his front foot and hoisted Shakib over long-on.
The six against the key bowler, signalled intent though on 83, Tendulkar played out a maiden over from Mortaza as anxiety mounted within him and expectations galloped across the stands.
Meanwhile Tendulkar's partner Virat Kohli (66) settled down to a rhythm of patience and singles. The two added 148 runs for the second-wicket until Kohli chopped Abdur Razzak on to his stumps. Suresh Raina (51) stepped in with his frenzied batting and also bagged the bragging rights for the ‘I-was-there' quote as he witnessed Tendulkar's special moment.
Big moment
Tendulkar tapped Shakib to square-leg and got that big single. And the hundred, reportedly his slowest in limited overs cricket at 138 deliveries, evoked visible relief on his face.
Tendulkar had his trysts with fortune when he dragged his back-foot just in time on 51 while Mushfiqur whipped he bails. Later, when the itch to somehow reach the three-figure knock assailed him on 89, he sprinted for a non-existent single and just made his ground while an errant throw missed the stumps.
There were no more alarms though Mortaza's twin-blows that accounted for Raina and Tendulkar, paused the Indian innings which along with tepid bowling, upset the visitor's dreams.
Scoreboard:
India : G. Gambhir b Shafiul 11 (16b, 1x4), S. Tendulkar c Rahim b Mortaza 114 (147b, 12x4, 1x6), V. Kohli b Razzak 66 (82b, 5x4), S. Raina c Tamim b Mortaza 51 (38b, 5x4, 2x6), M.S. Dhoni (not out) 21 (11b, 2x4), Rohit (run out) 4 (6b), R. Jadeja (not out) 4 (2b); Extras (lb-6, w-10, nb-2): 18; Total (for five wkts. in 50 overs): 289.
Power Plays: One (Overs 1-10) : 49/1; Bowling (16-20) : 25/0; Batting (36-40) : 34/1.
Fall of wickets : 1-25 (Gambhir), 2-173 (Kohli), 3-259 (Raina), 4-259 (Tendulkar), 5-267 (Rohit).
Bangladesh bowling : Mortaza 10-1-44-2, Shafiul 5-0-24-1, Shahadat 10-0-81-0, Shakib 10-0-63-0, Razzak 10-0-41-1, Mahmudullah 4-0-24-0, Nasir 1-0-6-0.
Bangladesh : Tamim c Jadeja b Praveen 70 (99b, 6x4), Nazimuddin c Rohit b Praveen 5 (15b), Jahurul c Rohit b Jadeja 53 (68b, 4x4, 1x6), Nasir c Raina b Praveen 54 (58b, 5x4), Shakib st Dhoni b Ashwin 49 (31b, 5x4, 2x6), M. Rahim (not out) 46 (25b, 3x4, 3x6), Mahmudullah (not out) 4 (2b, 1x4); Extras (lb-7, w-3, nb-2): 12; Total (for five wkts. in 49.2 overs): 293.
Power Plays: One (Overs 1-10) : 38/1; Bowling (16-20) : 19/0; Batting (36-40) : 46/0.
Fall of wickets : 1-15 (Nazimuddin), 2-128 (Jahurul), 3-156 (Tamim), 4-224 (Shakib), 5-288 (Nasir).
India bowling : Praveen 10-0-56-3, Irfan 9-0-61-0, Dinda 5.2-1-38-0, Raina 7-1-30-0, Rohit 2-0-13-0, Ashwin 10-0-56-1, Jadeja 6-0-32-1.
Man-of-the-match : Shakib Al Hasan.