Tigers target ‘Banglawash’

Despite the ongoing FIFA World Cup taking the centre stage in the sporting world but Bangladesh cricket team grabbed some limelight by playing quality cricket against India to seal the three-match ODI series with a game in hand.

The hosts are now eyeing to pull off a 'Banglawash' by winning the third and final game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chattogram today.

Bangladesh had the tendency of being unable to pass the hurdle in crunch situations to eventually end on the losing side, especially against India over the years, but the two latest hard-fought victories, resulting to one-wicket and five-run wins in the first two ODIs, will surely aid the Tigers to regain that lost faith.

Liton Das and his troops, however, appear to be motivated to conclude the series on a further high as the hosts would want to stamp their authority at home in the fifty-over format, especially against a team like India.

"The job is never done. We don't take international matches lightly. This team have never beaten India 3-0, so that's a massive goal for us," Bangladesh fielding coach Shane McDermott told the media yesterday.

"When we don't win 3-0, we really pride ourselves on being hard to beat. We have come close against Pakistan in New Zealand.

"We came close to potentially making it to the T20 World Cup semi-finals. We have been competitive and we are in pressure moments more often than not. I know that after the series win, the boys have one eye on one more win in this ODI series," said McDermott. 

All-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who scored his maiden hundred in the second ODI, remained the hero for the Tigers with the bat in both games, while Mahmudullah Riyad also played his part with a fifty. However, on the flip side, the Bangladesh team management will hope for a collective approach from the batting unit.

Back to positives, the Tigers bowling unit, especially their seamers, deserves a pat on the back as the likes of Ebadot Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman remained instrumental in both the games, while Shakib Al Hasan led the spin department. It remains unlikely that the team management will tinker with the playing eleven for the third game despite having already secured the series.

India, on the other hand, are struggling with injuries. Skipper Rohit Sharma has already been ruled out from the third ODI and is also doubtful for the upcoming two-match Test series, deepening the concerns within their camp.

The visitors have been on the receiving end of heavy criticism from back home and, with the extra pressure of avoiding the whitewash, it won't be an easy task for head coach Rahul Dravid to form a settled playing eleven.

The pitch, however, can provide some confidence in the Indian camp as the Chattogram surface has historically favoured the batters with a higher scoring-rate. Regardless of how the surface behaves, it is expected that yet another high-voltage drama awaits at the port city.