Bangladesh’s inspirational skipper Mashrafee Mortaza once again led his side to another comprehensive victory as the Tigers beat Ireland by eight wickets on Friday in their tri-series match at Ireland. Bangladesh lost their last match against New Zealand and their first match of the tournament against hosts was washed out so they needed a win in this match to keep their hopes alive for the tournament. It was a tricky match for the men in green as a loss would cost some vital ranking points and the cold condition on a green surface the Tigers had to be on top of their game. They exactly did that and fetched a comprehensive win by taking the domination from the very beginning till the end. In the end Tigers fan were fully satisfied to see Soumya Sarker’s excellent 87-run innings, which was a display of some elegant shots, and the batsmen befittingly guided his side home with an unbeaten innings, but there were some other moments and facts to cherish and worth noting in the match.
Mashrafe’s 25th ODI win as Captain
Mashrafee became only the second Bangladeshi to win 25 ODI matches as captain. He is by far the most successful ODI skipper for Bangladesh as his winning percentage is 60.97 (25 out of 42). Only Habibul Bashar has more wins as captain as he won 29 out of 69 matches (42.02%). Shakib al Hasan is in the second position as he won 23 matches out of 50 (46%)
Mashrafe goes even higher as bowler
Even before the match Mashrafe was the highest wicket taker as a Bangladeshi in ODI with 225 wickets. On Friday he added two more scalps to take it to 227. Mashrafe got these wickets from 1432 overs in 172 matches. Sakib has five less wickets from same number of matches to be placed in the second. Sakib has bowled 1461.1 overs, highest by a Bangladeshi so far.
Mashrafe the maiden master
Mashrafe bowled one maiden over when Friday to return with 6.3-1-18-2. That was the 112th ODI maiden for Mashrafe. None else from Bangladesh is yet to bowl 100 maiden overs. Sakib has second highest 76 maidens.
One of the biggest away wins
Bangladesh are yet to win any ODI by 10 wickets and they won by nine wickets thrice. Friday’s win was their ninth eight-wicket victory. Only three of them- against Zimbabwe at Harare in 2006 and in Bulawayo in 2009 and against Bermuda at St John’s in 2007. Bangladesh won by sparing 137 balls and their best win in terms of sparing balls away from home came against Kenya at Nairobi in 2006.
Tamim’s record of 50
Tamim Iqbal made his 35th half century in ODI, highest by a Bangladeshi, surpassing Shakib’s 34 on Friday. Tamim also made eight centuries, highest by a Bangladeshi, and Shakib hit six.