During the third match of the Nidahas Trophy between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Colombo, former Bangladesh captain and current wicket-keeper batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim, guided Bangladesh to their highest T20I chase, fourth-highest overall.
Mahmudullah, the Bangladeshi captain, had won the toss and chose to field. On the back of half-centuries from Kusal Perera (74) and Kusal Mendis (57), Sri Lanka scored 214-6 in 20 overs. With bowling figures of 4-0-48-3, Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers.
The visitors were provided with a much-required start from their openers in Tamim Iqbal (47) and Liton Das (43). However, the win wouldn’t have been possible without Rahim’s efforts. The 30-year old right-hand wicket-keeper batsman came out to bat at No. 4, when Bangladesh required 115 runs from 63 balls.
Without wasting much of a time, Rahim started playing the big shots, not letting the required run rate reach to a level from where it would have been impossible to achieve the target. With Soumya Sarkar (24) back in the pavilion, Bangladesh required 58 runs in the last five overs.
Mahmudullah (20) and Sabbir Rahman (0), too, went back leaving the outcome of the match in the hands of Rahim, who did not let the wickets falling at the other end have a detrimental effect on him. He kept his cool till the end.
Needing 9 runs to win from the last over, Rahim sliced a boundary over backward point on the second ball of the over to bring down the equation. On the fourth delivery of the over, a limping Rahim ran a single to seal the chase for the team.
In which was a serious outburst of emotions, Rahim let a huge cheer out to celebrate the victory. Something which did earn him a lot of media coverage was the naagin dance which followed as part of the celebrations.
Watch how Twitter reacted on Rahim’s sensational innings:
Mushfiqur Rahim stands really tall as an international cricketer. Curious to know how tall he stands in his boots tho? Working on a story…
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 10, 2018
Some where between this Mushfiqur Rahim grew up.😂#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/xqlZWazf3R
— S (@dude__ffs) March 10, 2018
Bangladesh records the fourth highest successful run chase in T20I history – the best by an Asian side!
Take a bow, Mushfiqur Rahim!#SLvBan— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 10, 2018
What a match it was! Thanks @mushfiqur15 bhai for your special innings. @TamimOfficial28 bhai also played brilliantly. Congrats everyone. Thanks for all of your support in the tough time. Photos: @BDCricTime #NidahasTrophy2018 pic.twitter.com/uLA1EyGY5J
— Mustafizur Rahman (@Mustafiz90) March 10, 2018
Mushfiqur Rahim would be a superstar if he perfoms the same 'Naagin Dance' steps in Indian Weddings.#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/rJq25AV3KP
— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) March 10, 2018
Mushfiqur Rahim 50 in 24 balls – second fastest fifty by a Bangladeshi batsman in T20Is!#SLvBan
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 10, 2018
What a way to be back in the track! Brilliant finished by @mushfiqur15 and obviously top-class innings from the other batters specially @TamimOfficial28 and Liton Das too. Congrats to everyone on this special moment. #BANvSL #NidahasTrophy2018
— Mahmudullah Riyad (@Mahmudullah30) March 10, 2018
