Bangladesh couldn’t replicate their 2007 World Cup triumph as they started their Champions Trophy campaign with a loss. The wait to defeat India in another global tournament continues.
In their first match of the Champions Trophy on Thursday (February 20), Bangladesh faced India in Dubai. Winning the toss and batting first, Bangladesh managed to score 228 runs in 49.4 overs. In response, India secured a 6-wicket victory in 46.3 overs.
Since Bangladesh couldn’t make a strong impact with the bat, they needed to put early pressure on India with the ball. However, Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz failed to do so, allowing India to build a strong foundation for victory.
India started their chase well, losing their first wicket at 69 runs in 9.5 overs. Rohit Sharma, after scoring 41 off 36 balls, fell to Taskin Ahmed. However, the other opener, Shubman Gill, continued steadily.
The second wicket fell at 112 runs in 22.4 overs when Virat Kohli was caught by Najmul Hossain Shanto off Rishad Hossain’s bowling. Kohli scored 22 off 38 balls. At number three, Shreyas Iyer (15) couldn’t settle either and was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman.
At number five, Axar Patel was also sent back by Rishad after scoring 8 off 12 balls. By 31 overs, India had lost 4 wickets for 144 runs. However, Bangladesh couldn’t take any further wickets as Gill and KL Rahul ensured victory for India.
Gill remained unbeaten with a century, scoring 101 off 129 balls. He had also scored a century in the last match of the England series. Meanwhile, KL Rahul remained not out on 41 off 47 balls. For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain took 2 wickets for 38 runs, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman took one wicket each.
Bangladesh’s Struggles with the Bat
Earlier, Bangladesh had a rough start with the bat, losing two wickets before settling in. On the last ball of the first over, Soumya Sarkar was caught behind by KL Rahul off Mohammed Shami for a duck.
In the second over, Najmul Hossain Shanto fell to Harshit Rana, giving a catch to Virat Kohli at short cover for another duck. Bangladesh was in deep trouble at 2 for 2.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried to rebuild, but their partnership didn’t last. Before settling in, Miraz was dismissed for just 5 runs off 10 balls, leaving Bangladesh at 26 for 3.
Soon after, Bangladesh’s innings collapsed further, losing three wickets for just 9 more runs. Axar Patel dismissed Tanzid Tamim, who was looking settled, for 25 off 25 balls.
On the very next ball, Axar trapped Mushfiqur Rahim, who got a golden duck. Bangladesh was now struggling at 35 for 5, staring at a possible collapse.
As Bangladesh’s batting faltered under pressure from Indian bowlers, Towhid Hridoy and Zakir Ali provided some resistance. They played cautiously, trying to stabilize the innings.
Zakir reached the first half-century of the Champions Trophy, taking 87 balls to get there. In the next over, Hridoy also completed his fifty off 85 balls.
However, Zakir couldn’t carry on much longer, getting dismissed for 68 off 114 balls by Shami. At number eight, Rishad Hossain added a quick 18 off 12 balls, but no one else could provide significant support to Hridoy.
Despite the lack of support, Hridoy managed to complete a brilliant century—his first in both the Champions Trophy and international ODIs. He scored 100 off 118 balls before getting dismissed in the final over as Bangladesh’s innings ended at 228 runs in 49.4 overs.
For India, Mohammed Shami was the star bowler with 5 wickets, while Harshit Rana took 3, and Axar Patel claimed 2 wickets.
