ICC World Cup 2019: Match 23, WI v BAN – Bangladesh Player Ratings

Bangladesh have thumped the Windies for the fourth time in as many matches in the last month or so and their latest victory means a lot. The Tigers gunned down the joint second highest chase in the World Cups and interestingly equalled their own record. They had chased down 322 against Scotland during the 2015 World Cup and this time, they managed a similar feat courtesy a stunning partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das.

The duo came together with the team in a little bit of trouble at 133/3 after 19 overs. Bangladesh needed a partnership then more than the run-rate. Liton Das who was included at Mohammad Mithun’s expense for this match first played second fiddle to Shakib who was set by then. Slowly but surely, they made sure that the required run-rate never went over 7 and once the Windies bowlers looked tired, put the final nail in the coffin with some stunning hitting.

Shakib got to the 8th century of his ODI career in the process and continued playing sublime strokes. He might have rarely missed a shot on the day during his unbeaten knock of 124 runs. Also, Liton Das was the aggressor as the Windies tried to put the pressure during the steep chase. The talented cricketer slammed Shannon Gabriel for three consecutive sixes in the 38th over to effectively fluster the Windies. Eventually, Bangladesh got to the target in the 42nd over itself as it also boosted their net run-rate.

Hope leads the way for Windies

Earlier in the day, it was Shai Hope’s patient 96-run knock which propelled the Windies. After losing Chris Gayle for a 13-ball duck, the number three batsman played sensibly while the rest of the batters around him attacked. While Evin Lewis found form at the right time, Shimron Hetmyer scored the joint fastest half-century of the tournament. Jason Holder also scored 33 off just 15 balls as Windies looked set to post a total close to 350.

But they lost wickets in clusters in search of quick runs and couldn’t get the final flourish. In the end, they managed to score 321 runs for the loss of 8 wickets which, at the halfway mark, looked daunting. However, Bangladesh made the light work of the chase.

Here are the Bangladesh player ratings for the match:

Tamim Iqbal – 6/10

Tamim Iqbal played a good role in the chase scoring 48 runs off 53 deliveries. He stitched a decent partnership first with Soumya Sarkar and then with Shakib Al Hasan. The southpaw found some form at the right time for his team and laced his innings with six delightful boundaries. Just when it seemed that he will unleash on the opposition, a front foot drive back to the bowler got his number. Sheldon Cottrell was aware of the run-out opportunity and caught Tamim by surprise. In the field, Tamim took a brilliant catch to send back Hetmyer.

Soumya Sarkar – 4/10

Soumya Sarkar is an exceptional talent. But once again he threw away a brilliant start. He raced away to 29 and looked brilliant after hitting two fours and as many sixes. However, he failed to tackle the short-ball strategy from the Windies and got out to Andre Russell in the ninth over. Like his opening partner, even he took a catch in the field to dismiss Pooran.

Shakib Al Hasan – 10/10

It was a perfect day for Shakib Al Hasan. Though he was expensive with the ball conceding 54 runs in his 8 overs, the left-arm spinner accounted for Lewis and Pooran’s wickets. Then he was just a class act with the bat. Coming out to bat at three, the southpaw scored an unbeaten 124 off just 99 deliveries and his knock comprised of 16 massive fours. He is a match-winner for Bangladesh and proved his mettle yet again. He gets a perfect 10 for his superb show in Taunton.

Mushfiqur Rahim – 2/10

Mushfiqur Rahim had an odd bad day at the office. In the steep chase, the experienced campaigner could only muster 1 run off five balls and was strangled down the leg-side off Oshane Thomas. Behind the stumps, the veteran took a couple of catches and would love to make amends with the bat in the near future.

Liton Das – 8.5/10

Liton Das’ batting was an absolute delight to watch. He came in to bat when the team was in trouble a bit. However, he took a bit of time early on and then pummelled the Windies bowlers at will. He upped the ante after getting hold of the pitch and made the 322-run chase literally look like a cakewalk for his team. He remained unbeaten on 94 off 69 balls with 8 fours and four sixes.

Mahmudullah – 2/10

Mahmudullah had nothing much to do in the game today. His batting wasn’t required in the chase with the top five getting the job done. However, he gets the ratings for plucking a crucial catch of Jason Holder who was threatening to take the game away in the death overs.

Mosaddek Hossain – 1.5/10

Mosaddek Hossain’s services weren’t required with the bat. But being an all-rounder, he was expected to bowl some quiet overs when the Windies batsmen were looking good. However, he failed to keep a check on the run-scoring and conceded 36 runs in six overs without picking a wicket.

Mohammad Saifuddin – 6/10

Mohammad Saifuddin started the day on a brighter note by nipping out Chris Gayle for a 13-ball duck. But then he got carried away a bit and went for plenty of runs. However, Saifuddin came back strongly in the death overs to send back the likes of Jason Holder and Darren Bravo. He ended with the figures of 3/72 in his 10 overs and would love to concede fewer runs next time around.

Mehidy Hasan – 2/10

Mehidy Hasan is usually miserly with the ball. But it was one of those days when his off-spin bowling didn’t work against the Windies. Mehidy was taken away for 57 runs in his nine overs and failed to keep a lid on the run-scoring despite the opposition having several left-handers in their line-up.

Mashrafe Mortaza – 5/10

Mashrafe Mortaza was excellent with the new ball. The veteran led from the front bowling six overs upfront and was extremely economical. However, his second spell was a bit expensive which made his figures look a bit worse. Nevertheless, 0/37 in 8 overs is a decent effort in a game where almost 650 runs were scored. Though he should look to pick more wickets.

Mustafizur Rahman – 9/10

The Fizz was a delight to watch with the ball today. His cutters landed in the perfect areas and provided breakthroughs at the right time for his team. He picked the wickets of Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Shai Hope, all of them were crucial and returned with the figures of 3/59 in his nine overs.