MIRPUR, June 24 (PTI): India restored some pride with a consolation 77-run win over Bangladesh in the third and final ODI here today to prevent the spirited hosts from securing a famous 3-0 series whitewash.
India, put into bat, put up a competitive 317 for six courtesy under-fire captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (69 runs off 77 balls) and opener Shikhar Dhawan (75 off 73)). Suresh Raina put up an all-round effort, scoring 38 before ending with career best figures of three for 45.
The home team flattered to deceive in the chase with its batsmen squandering promising starts, eventually ending at 240 all out to give India their first and only win of the short tour.
Bangladesh were cruising in the first 10 overs despite losing the experienced Tamim Iqbal (5) early. Young Soumya Sarkar (40 off 34) showed once again he is a batsman to watch out for during his entertaining stay at the crease. The opener played shots all around the wicket in the company of Litton Das (34 off 50), smashing five fours and two sixes to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Like some of his teammates, Sarkar looked set for a big score until he mistimed a slower one off Dhawal Kulkarni, giving a simple catch to Ravichandran Ashwin at mid-on. However, the game was very much alive with Bangladesh reaching 65 for two in 10 overs.
Das and Mushfiqur Rahim (24 off 30) got together and shared a 50-run stand before the two fell in quick succession, leaving their team at 118 for four in the 22nd over. And when premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan departed to make it 148 for five, Bangladesh�s hopes of another famous win over India were receding fast.
However, Sabbir Rahman (43 off 38) and Nasir Hossain (32 off 30) were not to go down without a fight. The duo hammered 49 off 38 balls for the sixth wicket as the dew made batting easier in the second half of the game.
Earlier, Dhawan starred with the bat before beleaguered skipper Dhoni struck a gritty 50 to take India to a defendable total.
Scorecard
India: Rohit Sharma c Das b Mustafizur 29, Shikhar Dhawan c Nasir Hossain b Mortaza 75, Virat Kohli b Shakib Al Hasan 25, MS Dhoni c Mustafizur b Mortaza 69, Ambati Rayudu c Das b Mortaza 44, Suresh Raina b Mustafizur 38, Stuart Binny not out 17, Axar Patel not out 10. Extras: (B-4, LB-3, W-3) 10. Total: (For 6 wkts) 317. Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-114, 3-158, 4-251, 5-268, 6-301. Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 10-0-57-2, Mashrafe Mortaza 10-0-76-3, Arafat Sunny 6-0-42-0, Rubel Hossain 8.5-0-75-0, Nasir Hossain 6-0-27-0, Shakib Al Hasan 9-1-33-1.
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal lbw b Kulkarni 5, Soumya Sarkar c Ashwin b Kulkarni 40, Litton Das b Patel 34, Mushfiqur Rahim c Dhoni b Raina 24, Shakib Al Hasan c Kulkarni b Raina 20, Sabbir Rahman b Binny 43, Nasir Hossain c Rayudu b Ashwin 32, Mashrafe Mortaza b Ashwin 0, Arafat Sunny not out 14, Rubel Hossain c Patel b Raina 2, Mustafizur Rahman lbw b Rayudu 9. Extras: (LB-3, W-13, NB-1) 17. Total: (all out in 47 overs) 240. Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-62, 3-112, 4-118, 5-148, 6-197, 7-205, 8-216, 9-222, 10-240. Bowling: Binny 6-0-41-1, Kulkarni 8-0-34-2, Yadav 4-0-33-0, Ashwin 10-1-35-2, Patel 9-1-44-1, Raina 8-0-45-3, Rayudu 2-1-5-1.
Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan pulls out the paddle sweep during his knock of 75 in the 3rd
ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur on Wednesday.
