Dubious umpiring, wasteful batting restrict Bangladesh to 222

Dubious umpiring, wasteful batting restrict Bangladesh to 222

Dhaka, Sep 28 (Just News): A middle-order collapse and dubious umpiring left Bangladesh dismissed for 222 runs 48.3 overs in the Asia Cup final against India, despite the maiden one-day international century of opener Liton Das at Dubai International Stadium in UAE on Friday.

Liton struck 121 off 117 balls and looked destined for a bigger innings when he was given stumped out controversially by third umpire Rod Tucker.

In the 41st over of Bangladesh innings, left-arm spinner Kudeep Yadav beat Liton with a googley and MS Dhoni was quick to break the stump, prompting the umpires to refer the matter to upstairs.

Replay remained inconclusive whether Liton managed to take his feet back to the crease but Tucker declared the Liton out giving the benefit of doubt to the bowler.

The decision ruined Bangladesh’s prospect of getting a competitive score after middle-order batsmen wasted a great start –provided by Liton and makeshift opener Mehedi Hasan.

Liton and Mehedi put 120 runs in their opening stand but Bangladesh lost four wickets for 31 runs after Kedar Jadhav separated the duo in the 21st over.

After Mehedi got dismissed for 32 off 59 to with a catch at cover, Imrul Kayes was judged leg before, Mushfiqur Rahim heaved a big shot to be caught at long on for and a brilliant piece of fielding by Ravindra Jadeja saw Mohammad Mithun run out for two.
Mahmudullah put himself under pressure by playing some dot balls before his attempt for a six off Kuldeep Yadav saw him caught at deep midwicket by Jasprit Bumrah for four as Bangladesh were reduced to 151-5 n 33rd over from 120-0 in 21st over.

However Liton continued to hammer Indian bowlers and reached his maiden ton in just 87 balls with hitting 10 fours and two sixes before his innings ended in controversial circumstance.

The Tigers could reach to a modest total after his dismissal thanks to 33 runs off Soumya Sarkar, who was relegated to number seven in the batting order.

The Tigers gambled with Mehedi in the opening pair and it paid off as the Tigers brought their first century partnership against India in the opening in 2016.

This is also Bangladesh’s highest opening stand against India, surpassing Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar’s 102 in 2015 in Dhaka.

The Tigers are playing with five bowlers for the first time in the tournament as they brought left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam in place of Mominul Haque from their last match win over Pakistan.

This is Bangladesh’s third Asia Cup final in last four editions and they finished runners-up in previous two occasions in 2012 and 2016 respectively.

(Justnews/ys/2210hr)