India hammer Bangladesh by 50 runs – T20 Cricket World Cup, as it happened
It’s always two off when Bumrah is on.
T20 World Cup – it was a most unusual night. For instance, I’ve never seen the covers taken off while it was still raining but, well, yes, let’s leave it there. Litton was flying that night until we returned and was run out first ball after the delay when slipping turning for a run – funny that. My wider point is that he’s not scared of taking on India – let’s see how he goes. It’s Tanzid who has a crack first though, lifting a cut shot over point for four.
The players are back. Arshdeep has the ball, up against Litton Das and Tanzid Hassan – they are going to have to get everything right here. PLAY!
That is going to take some getting. Five Indian batters played their role but it was Hardik’s death-overs hitting that got them so close to 200. And that is exactly the innings they needed coming into the business end of the tournament. Right, I’m taking a quick breather; back with you for Bangladesh’s chase in about ten minutes.
20th over: India 196-5 (Hardik 50, Axar 3). Mustafizur to Hardik. And he beats him off the surface… only for an edge to run away for four. Batters’ game. Singles are exchanged at this point, back to where we started with half an over to go – two out to deep cover follows, the strike staying where India wants it. OH NO! He’s overstepped! Three balls to go and a free hit, then. And for the second time in the over, an edge runs away to the third man rope, albeit this time off a low full toss. Can the ‘Fizz get out of this? He has 0/43 with two balls to go; he’s back over the wicket… it’s a wide! Going across Hardik, he misses the tram tracks by a long way. Last ball of the innings with Hardik 46 and he moves to a half-century from his 27th deliver to end the 20 overs in lovely fashion. For the third time off Mustafizur he’s down to the deep third rope, this time squeezed from a full length. A fine finish for India, giving them the fifth-highest score in this comp and this highest in T20is at the Viv Richards Stadium.
19th over: India 178-4 (Hardik 35, Axar 2). Tanzim for over 19 and fair enough – he’s earned the right with the way he’s bowled in this tournament to have this responsibility. But there’s nothing easy about bowling to Hardik when he looks to have his eye in, as he learns when a slower ball ends up in the crowd at midwicket – his third SIX. But the three dot balls, including one that goes past Axar’s edge to finish, are just as noteworthy as the big shot – eight off is a win for Bangladesh.
18th over: India 170-4 (Hardik 28, Axar 1). Shot! Rishad lands within a few inches of the block hole but Hardik is back in the crease waiting for something full and muscles it with ease over the spinners’ head for SIX more. 15 off the over and the Dube wicket.
Source: theguardian.com
