ODI series: Bangladesh clinch series despite Rohit Sharma's late blitz

DHAKA: Off-spin all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz turned out to be India's nemesis for the second time in as many matches by hitting his maiden ODI century and picking two wickets to help Bangladesh clinch the series with a five-run victory over India in a thrilling second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) on Wednesday.

From being 69/6 in 19 overs, Mehidy, with his unbeaten 83-ball hundred and veteran batter Mahmudullah, who made a fine 77, stitched a mammoth 148-run stand for the seventh wicket to carry Bangladesh to a respectable 271/7 in 50 overs. In defence, their bowlers were clinical in reducing India to 65/4 in 18.3 overs. India were in troubled waters as Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Washington Sundar, and KL Rahul fell within the first 19 overs. They were steered out of it by 82 from Shreyas Iyer and run-a-ball 56 from Axar Patel, with the duo sharing a 107-run stand.

Captain Rohit Sharma, despite a taping on his injured left thumb which forced him to leave the field in second over and couldn't open, hit an unbeaten 51 off 28 balls in a courageous effort from batting at number nine and threatened to take the match away from Bangladesh. But it wasn't meant to be as Bangladesh kept their nerve to maintain their perfect record of not losing a series at home since October 2016.

Earlier, Bangladesh were in tatters as the top-order failed to fire again, with Sundar taking three wickets while Siraj and Umran Malik troubled them with swing. But Mehidy and Mahmudullah joined forces to bail the hosts' out of trouble and lead an absolutely stunning recovery for Bangladesh.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 271/7 in 50 overs (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 100 not out, Mahmudullah 77; Washington Sundar 3/37), India 266/9 in 50 overs (Shreyas Iyer 82, Axar Patel 56; Ebadot Hossain 3/45). (IANS)

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