Tailenders propel Bangladesh to 265/8 after Shakib, Hridoy fifties

Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 265/8 against India in the last Super Fours match of the ongoing Asia Cup in Colombo. 

Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy were fantastic in the middle-order but it was the number eight Nasum Ahmed whose valuable contribution towards the end of the innings took Bangladesh to a fighting total. Bangladesh took 77 runs off the last 10 overs despite being six down at the 40-over mark. 

India's fielding was not up to the mark too as they dropped catches and didn't do to well in the outfield.

Bangladesh fielded a new opening pair but the move didn't work. Mohammed Shami, into the side for the first time in the tournament, got a fullish ball to nip back and Litton Das lost his stumps in the second ball he faced. His partner Tanzid Hasan Tamim struck three boundaries and was comfortable hitting over the line. But Shardul Thakur sent him back as the southpaw was played on while attempting a pull shot.

Anamul Haque (4 off 11) was recalled to the side but his stay in the middle was short-lived as well. 

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who batted decently at the top of the order, was given a chance to bat at number five. He lived dangerously as he was dropped twice and played and missed many before getting out for a torturous 13 off 28. His dismissal left Bangladesh under pressure at 59 for four in the 14th over.

Towhid Hridoy joined his captain Shakib Al Hasan in the middle then. Shakib was largely untroubled as he drove nicely on the up off the fast bowlers and used both his feet and the depth of the crease really well.

The run rate was hovering around four an over and that's when Hridoy decided to get a move-on. The right-hander struck part-timer Tilak Varma for two sixes in the 23rd over. That initiated a good passage of play for Bangladesh. 

Shakib played a few paddles to the left-arm spin duo before taking down Axar Patel for two sixes over cow-corner. A few overs later, his senior partner Jadeja received the same treatment. 

Shakib (80 off 85) was looking good for a big score but got out bowled off an inside-edge right after a drinks break. Thakur accounted for the wicket. He added a much-needed 101 off 19.1 overs with Hridoy. 

Hridoy (53 off 80) hit his second consecutive half-century but mistimed a pull shot off Thakur soon after and Varma took an easy catch at slip.

Nasum Ahmed, back into the side, was a revelation at number eight. He played the slog shot to great effect and was lucky to get a few boundaries behind the wicket. Mahedi Hasan gave him good support as well. 

Nasum was not intimidated in front of the pace of Shami and Prasidh Krishna but the latter foxed him with an off-pace ball. He departed for 44 off 45, adding 45 with Mahedi. 

Mahedi scored 29* off 23 and debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib blasted an 8-ball-14.