The Bangladesh vs Ireland 3rd ODI was a rollercoaster encounter. Ireland were dominating the run chase and would have pulled off a win had it not been for Mustafizur Rahman’s superb death overs spell and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s wicket in first over. Iqbal in the post-match presentation revealed that at one point of Ireland’s run chase he did not have the belief that Bangladesh will be able to defend the 275-run target. Iqbal also revealed that he had no idea that Shanto will have the need to bowl towards the end.
“Until the 40th over I had no idea Shanto would bowl. But with the way Mehidy bowled I was forced to give him the ball. That will be great (if he turns into an all rounder). If I say I had the belief we would win the game then I would be lying. At one point I thought the game was gone but when we got Campher and Tucker, I started to believe,” Iqbal said after the five-run win over Andrew Balbirnie-led side.
Shanto was introduced in the 42nd over and he broke the 79-run fourth-wicket partnership between Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker. Shanto bowled a short delivery that was mistimed by Tector. Litton Das took a spectacular catch at long-on to bring Ireland back in the game.
It turned out to be the turning point of the game. Mustafizur Rahman then got the wicket of Curtis Campher, George Dockrell and Tucker. On the other end, Shanto conceded just 10 runs from three overs he bowled. The lack of runs against the spinner created pressure on the Irish as they faltered in the run chase.
Adjudged 'Player of the series', Shanto revealed that he has been working on his bowling and has told Iqbal that he can do the job with the ball as well.
“I just follow my process. I have been practising my bowling the last couple of days with Rangana Herath. Mehidy helped me a lot while I was bowling. I have been telling the captain that you should give me the ball. I follow his (Mehidy) action,” Shanto said.
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