The India-Bangladesh match in Colombo had every
characteristic of a match that ends a team’s tour after being eliminated.
Bangladesh offered two top-order hitters who had been warming the bench for the
majority of the competition opportunities while resting their top-choice fast
bowlers. They also gave Tanzim Hasan Sakib, a pace bowler, his ODI debut. The
Asia Cup and the next three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Dhaka are
crucial for players, especially those on the bench, to stake out a spot in the
World Cup team.
From positions 8, 9, and 10, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi
Hasan, and Tanzim together scored 87 runs. Towhid Hridoy and Shakib Al Hasan
both hit fifty to save Bangladesh from yet another top-order collapse, but once
these two fell, Bangladesh was once again in free fall. However, the squad was
saved by the lower order batters, who played a total of 110 balls and hit ten
fours and two sixes. With a 44, a career high, Nasum kept one end going as
Mahedi and Tanzim finished with some fireworks.
In their combined 26.5 overs with the ball, the same
three took four wickets and averaged 4.91 runs per over. Although Nasum and
Tanzim aren’t known as all-rounders, their cameos helped Bangladesh snag a
consolation victory.
“[Beating India] is huge for us to go into the
World Cup,” head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe said. “We go with a lot
of confidence, especially with what happened in this tournament. We had a
really good run up to the Asia Cup, but in this tournament we struggled to put
on a collective effort. I am not giving excuses, but we played in different
conditions like Kandy, Lahore and Colombo. We had some injuries at crucial
times. The pleasing thing for me is the depth of our other players. We could
give three guys the opportunity to showcase their talent and what they are
capable of, thinking of the World Cup selection. It gives us a really good
depth to select the 15 players.”