DHAKA: Comprehensive win in the first match of the three-match ODI series against India has created golden opportunity for Mashrafe squad to win the first ever ODI series against India.
If that happens that will be a major milestone. It is not that India is a push over. They are still a very formidable team. Bangladesh will still have to play out of their skin for winning at least one of the two remaining matches to grab the series.
The win in the second match starting tomorrow will be better as India will definitely be desperate to bounce back and come with all guns blazing. Desperate teams always are prone in making mistakes and remain vulnerable. Bangladesh must maintain composure and exploit the situation.
Usually winning combination is not broken. So cannot suggest any change to Bangladesh team for the second ODI though would have preferred to let Mushfiqur bat at number three and Liton rather bat at five. We are sure Mushfiqur just needs one good innings to get back to his magical best. He is technically the best-equipped Bangladesh batsman and needs a start.
If Bangladesh gets another good start tomorrow let Mushfiqur bat at number three. He can hold the innings together and let other stroke makers play more freely around him. We will suggest keeping faith in Liton. He will definitely play another quality innings sooner or later. All seven Bangladesh batsmen have excellent quality. All that will be required will be two to three good partnerships.
India may appear with few changes. We believe Stuart Binny may be replacing struggling Mohit Sharma and Chetasawar Pujara may be coming in. Axer Patel may also play. It will be desperate do or die for India. They need to win the reaming two ODI to keep their reputation unhurt. We have seen enough criticism of Dhoni strategy in Indian press. A series loss may cause great harm to team India morale and Dhoni will come under bitter flak.
Indian batsmen were caught in real surprise watching a frail looking teenager with the new ball instead of Mashrafe opening the attack. The undaunted debutant surprised Indian batting starts with subtle variations of pace and his angular deliveries. Indians must have gone back to drawing board and work out this new sensation. Mashrafe and Bangladesh think tank should also have plan B. Indians may attempt to attack young Mustafiz and hit him out of the attack. Mashrafe must use him with diligence. We hope Rubel will bowl better in the second match and Taskin will continue to torment the Indians. Mashrafe is also a bowler who always puts his best on big occasions.
Wicket should have some purchase for the pacers as Bangladesh at this moment has much better pace bowling unit .Indian batsmen have shown some vulnerability against pace. Shakib and Nasir are enough in taking care of spinning options.
Bangladesh must play Ashwin carefully as he appears to be main Indian weapon against Bangladeshi left handers. If Tamim and Soumya can give another bright start, Bangladesh should try and consolidate that advantage milking the bowling through middle overs and stepping deep the accelerator in the business session. Team winning the toss and batting will have distinct advantage. Chasing 300 runs under light is not at all easy.
Bangladesh fielding is better than India although Musfiqur dropped two and Mustafiz could have world record if not he dropped Mohit off his own bowling .It could have given him the 6th wicket. Anyway, he had dream debut and Mushfiqur also caught five. One of his catch was brilliant. Nasir held a blinder. Nasir, Shabbir, Soumya, Liton are all very good fielders.
There is no control over toss or weather. Bangladesh has to be ready for both. We do not think the agreed arrangement for reserve day and carrying the match to second day from where it finishes on day one from rain impact was taken after deep thought. Any match not played till 25th over each side at least must not be considered a match. In such situation, the entire match on the reserve day should be played again.
The win in first ODI has presented unique opportunity for Bangladesh to win the series. If Bangladesh goes on winning the second ODI windows will open for yet another Bangla wash. What an achievement it would be! But for the time being, let us think about game two only. Go tigers go. Give the nation a precious Eid gift in advance.
BDST: 1152 HRS, JUN 20, 2015
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