Bangladesh's one-day wonders
At the 21st attempt Bangladesh finally secured victory against England with a five-run win at Bristol. Cricinfo looks back on five other memorable one-day performances from the Tigers
Liam Brickhill
10-Jul-2010
That winning feeling: Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Ashraful celebrate the 2007 victory over India • AFP
v Pakistan, Northampton, 1999
This was more than just a win for Bangladesh. Their 62-run victory over Pakistan at the World Cup in 1999 was the catalyst for their attainment of Test status. They were tournament debutants and their struggles in four previous games gave no hint of what was to come. Pakistan, on the other hand, were the form team of the tournament and had already qualified for the Super Sixes stage. Khaled Mahmud's skiddy medium pace prompted a collapse to 43 for 5 in their pursuit of a modest 223, and Pakistan never recovered. Questions over the possibility that the game was fixed did nothing to stem the tide of euphoria in the Bangladesh camp.
This was more than just a win for Bangladesh. Their 62-run victory over Pakistan at the World Cup in 1999 was the catalyst for their attainment of Test status. They were tournament debutants and their struggles in four previous games gave no hint of what was to come. Pakistan, on the other hand, were the form team of the tournament and had already qualified for the Super Sixes stage. Khaled Mahmud's skiddy medium pace prompted a collapse to 43 for 5 in their pursuit of a modest 223, and Pakistan never recovered. Questions over the possibility that the game was fixed did nothing to stem the tide of euphoria in the Bangladesh camp.
v India, Dhaka, 2004
Bangladesh's first win at home was also their first over India, and was a fine way to mark their 100th one-day international. In the heady atmosphere of a full house at the Banghabandhu Stadium at Dhaka, a pumped-up Mashrafe Mortaza led an inspired bowling performance as India were skittled for 214 to seal a 15-run win. Bangladesh's victory was built around a team effort, as Aftab Ahmed top-scored with 67 but almost everyone in the middle and lower order contributed. It was also hard-earned. They first recovered from 88 for 5 to reach a competitive total of 229, and then bowled as a tight unit, sharing the wickets around as India were steadily constricted and picked apart from the very first over of the chase, when Mortaza castled Virender Sehwag.
Bangladesh's first win at home was also their first over India, and was a fine way to mark their 100th one-day international. In the heady atmosphere of a full house at the Banghabandhu Stadium at Dhaka, a pumped-up Mashrafe Mortaza led an inspired bowling performance as India were skittled for 214 to seal a 15-run win. Bangladesh's victory was built around a team effort, as Aftab Ahmed top-scored with 67 but almost everyone in the middle and lower order contributed. It was also hard-earned. They first recovered from 88 for 5 to reach a competitive total of 229, and then bowled as a tight unit, sharing the wickets around as India were steadily constricted and picked apart from the very first over of the chase, when Mortaza castled Virender Sehwag.
v Australia, Cardiff, 2005
Bangladesh, who had won only nine of their 107 one-dayers until that point - including just two against teams outside Zimbabwe and non-Test playing nations - upstaged an Australian outfit roundly feared and respected as the strongest in world cricket. Bouncing back after a heavy defeat to England in their previous game, Bangladesh were a team transformed on a sunny day in Cardiff but the star of the show was Mohammad Ashraful. Bangladesh had restricted a potent Australian line-up to 249 before Ashraful's 101-ball 100 set up a thrilling finale to their run-chase. With Ashraful dismissed in the dying moments of the game, seven runs were needed from the final over, to be bowled by Jason Gillespie. A mighty blow for six over midwicket by Aftab Ahmed brought the scores level, before a quick single sealed the result and cued scenes of jubilation at Sophia Gardens.
Bangladesh, who had won only nine of their 107 one-dayers until that point - including just two against teams outside Zimbabwe and non-Test playing nations - upstaged an Australian outfit roundly feared and respected as the strongest in world cricket. Bouncing back after a heavy defeat to England in their previous game, Bangladesh were a team transformed on a sunny day in Cardiff but the star of the show was Mohammad Ashraful. Bangladesh had restricted a potent Australian line-up to 249 before Ashraful's 101-ball 100 set up a thrilling finale to their run-chase. With Ashraful dismissed in the dying moments of the game, seven runs were needed from the final over, to be bowled by Jason Gillespie. A mighty blow for six over midwicket by Aftab Ahmed brought the scores level, before a quick single sealed the result and cued scenes of jubilation at Sophia Gardens.
v India, Port of Spain, Trinidad, 2007
This was a victory that reverberated around the world as Bangladesh stunned one of the pre-tournament favourites for the 2007 World Cup. Mortaza again led the way with a terrific spell of bowling that began with the early dismissal of Virender Sehwag, but it was the spinners who did the crucial damage in the middle order. Abdur Razzak removed Sachin Tendulkar with an arm ball and Mohammad Rafique was too good for Rahul Dravid. India limped to 191 before Tamim Iqbal gave a glimpse of his potential with 51 off 53 balls. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur Rahim provided the calm head and along with Shakib Al Hasan took Bangladesh to the brink. The defeat would ultimately cost India their place in the tournament, which had ramifications far beyond a one-off result.
This was a victory that reverberated around the world as Bangladesh stunned one of the pre-tournament favourites for the 2007 World Cup. Mortaza again led the way with a terrific spell of bowling that began with the early dismissal of Virender Sehwag, but it was the spinners who did the crucial damage in the middle order. Abdur Razzak removed Sachin Tendulkar with an arm ball and Mohammad Rafique was too good for Rahul Dravid. India limped to 191 before Tamim Iqbal gave a glimpse of his potential with 51 off 53 balls. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur Rahim provided the calm head and along with Shakib Al Hasan took Bangladesh to the brink. The defeat would ultimately cost India their place in the tournament, which had ramifications far beyond a one-off result.
v South Africa, Guyana, 2007
Later in the World Cup it was time for Ashraful to shine again, as his 83-ball 87 - the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batsman in World Cups - inspired one of the biggest upsets of the tournament as Bangladesh thrashed South Africa by 67 runs at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. With 251 on the board, Bangladesh's trio of left-arm spinners thrived on a sluggish surface that had the feel of a sub-continental dustbowl. From 63 for 1 South Africa slumped to 87 for 6 against a relentless battery of spin. Shaun Pollock and Herschelle Gibbs stemmed the collapse with a 45-run stand, but they were always behind the asking rate and after Pollock was removed Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Rafique mopped up the tail.
Later in the World Cup it was time for Ashraful to shine again, as his 83-ball 87 - the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batsman in World Cups - inspired one of the biggest upsets of the tournament as Bangladesh thrashed South Africa by 67 runs at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. With 251 on the board, Bangladesh's trio of left-arm spinners thrived on a sluggish surface that had the feel of a sub-continental dustbowl. From 63 for 1 South Africa slumped to 87 for 6 against a relentless battery of spin. Shaun Pollock and Herschelle Gibbs stemmed the collapse with a 45-run stand, but they were always behind the asking rate and after Pollock was removed Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Rafique mopped up the tail.
Liam Brickhill is an assistant editor at Cricinfo