Bangladesh registered a historic victory over India by five wickets in an ICC
World Cup Group B match played at Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain Trinidad
on March 17, 2007. 
After this victory, Bangladesh's chances to reach the Super
Eight group have been brightened. Mashrafe Mortaza was named man of the
match.
First Mortaza got four wickets and Abdur Razzak and
Mohammad Rafique grabbed three Indian wickets each, restricting the Indians
to an easily achievable total 191.
Then later chasing the target, three 50s by Iqbal, Rahim, and
Hasan helped Bangladesh to thrash one the World Cup favorite teams.
Before this, India faced a big blow to their batting lineup.
After the early four-wicket loss, Ganguly (66) and Yuvraj Singh (47) tried to
support the team with an 85 runs partnership, and India were going to a fightable
total before they lost five wickets for only two runs.
India won the toss and selected to bat first.
With the upset, it is their second win in all the world cup
events they have played. Bangladesh snatched victory from an overconfident Indian
squad and coach with the help of well-planned efforts. Mashrafe Mortaza inspired
all of us with his superb bowling effort after sloppy strokes by the Indians.
Even if we say Captain Rahul Dravid did wrong by choosing to
bat first after winning the toss wins on a juicy pitch, that can't be blamed
for his team's woes. India was tackled by a proficient bowling attack, first
by Mortaza and then left-arm spinners.
Mortaza was at the heart of the impressive bowling performance. He used his
pace with movement in to both sides and controlled line and length. Virender
Sehwag (2), Uthappa (9), Agarkar (0) and Patel (15) were his victims.
The spinners were with full beauty of the tricks and line and
length. Razzak began the bowling with tight approaches and disturbed all Indian
players.
Ganguly and Yuvraj were busy to drag the team out of trouble.
Ganguly was sensible seeing the attacking and difficult situation. He managed
only four boundaries in a 129-ball he faced. This was his fourth half-century
against Bangladesh. Yuvraj's 47 was a more aggressive blow, pulling three fours
and a six, but he fell when things were going to be positive.
A big threat to Bangladesh, Mahendra Dhoni, was soon over within three balls
when he cut to point for a duck. Five Indian wickets fell for two runs in 10
balls, which blasted India with the figure 159-9.
The final pair Zaheer and Patel, did something, desperately hitting two fours
each to add 32 off 28 balls and take the team to 191.
The youngest member, Tamim Iqbal, playing in just his fifth
one-day, opened superbly with a daring 53-ball 51. This was sufficient to boost
up the confidence of young Bangladesh to finish the game carefully. The 84 runs
cool stand between Saqibul Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim dimmed all hopes
of the Indian side.
Zaheer Khan chopped a big blow at the neck of Tamim Iqbal with a short ball
when he went after it. But instead of going out or being under pressure, he
reacted with rapacious strokes over the fielder's heads to the fence.
India started well with Munaf's superb opening attack bowling, but some sloppy
fielding -- dropping catches and missing two half-chances -- caused them to
lose their grip over the match. But on the other side Bangladesh's players on
the field were making exemplary efforts, diving around like leopards. At one
stage Bangladesh was looking upset, loosing three at 79, but a couple's stand
was sufficient to keep things under control.
Mushfiqur, the 18-year-old wicketkeeper, presented marvelous composure in his
56-runs inning. There were some wonderful moments created by him in batting
regarding the situation. He did well in smashing sixes and singles in gaps.
India will play against Bermuda on Monday before their must-win
contest with Sri Lanka next Friday.
Even if Indian wins the next two matches they will have to improve their run
rate to avoid elimination.
Now Bangladesh is in position to look positively to the next
round with confidence.
Pak overpowered by minnows Ireland
Kingston: Former champions Pakistan were eliminated from the
World Cup when they lost an enthralling Group D match against part-timers Ireland
by three wickets at Sabina Park on Saturday. India is one defeat away from joining
their sub-continent rivals Pakistan after their shock defeat by Bangladesh on
Saturday.
The defeat of the 1992 champions, Pakistan, by the debutants
is one of the biggest shocks in the nine-tournament history of the World Cup
which was first played in 1975.
Ireland, requiring a revised target of 128 after a rain delay
during their innings, won with a six over mid-wicket by captain Trent Johnston
off Azhar MahmoodThere were 32 balls remaining.
Australian-born Johnston, cheered on by a jubilant Irish contingent
already celebrating St Patrick Day, punched the air in jubilation
as the ball sailed over the boundary ropes.
Several of his team mates clad in emerald green rushed on to the field to embrace
him as the dejected Pakistan players stood forlornly.
"You don’t really expect to beat a major Test country
like that but we have said all along that funny things can happen," Irish
coach Adrian Birrell told reporters.
"We are a side that is capable of upsets. We’ve done it before and
we drew on that belief of past experiences."
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