Pandya powers India to victory over Bangladesh in crucial Super Eights clash

Bangladesh chase in vain

Bangladesh mustered some fire in their response but not quite enough, starting slowly and never able to catch up. Though the wickets did not fall quickly, neither did the runs flow.

Litton Das was first man out, caught by Yadav off Pandya for 13, and Tanzid Hasan followed for 29, tricked by Kuldeep Yadav’s googly.

It was Kuldeep who also removed Towhid Hridoy lbw for 4, and then Shakib for 11 – just as he was starting to look threatening with a couple of big hits.

When Jasprit Bumrah made his inevitable breakthrough, tempting Najmul Hossain Shanto to the hands of Arshdeep Singh for 40 in the 16th over, Bangladesh’s hopes faded further. Shanto had put in a solid knock off 32 balls, with one four and three sixes.

And then Arshdeep took a wicket of his own, his slower delivery dragged by Jaker Ali to Virat Kohli, leaving Bangladesh on 110/6 with four overs remaining.

Rishad made an effort to close the gap a little with a quickfire 24 off just ten balls before sending a Bumrah ball directly into the hands of Sharma at extra cover in the penultimate over.

And Arshdeep wrapped up the innings by removing the tenacious Mahmudullah, who had made his way to the crease in the 14th over and made 13 runs off 15 balls.