It is always a big help if a bowler runs into a rich vein of form going into the World Cup. Mashrafe Mortaza was on similar lines coming off an impressive run – he was named the number one ODI bowler in 2006, scalping 49 wickets in 27 matches, and it was this consistency and bucketful of confidence which he carried into the 2007 World Cup opening tie against formidable India.
The bowler should thank his captain Habibul Bashar for doing him a huge favour by winning the toss and inserting India in on a deck which had fair amount of moisture in it. Once the nerves of playing a big game, which clearly showed in Mortaza as he sprayed the ball around in the first over, settled, Mortaza came into his own keeping the Indian openers on a tight leash.
The persistence didn’t take too long to translate into wickets. Of course, Mortaza’s job was made easier by the fact that he had to confront someone like Virender Sehwag who was going through a lean trot. And it was Sehwag who became Mortaza’s first scalp when the bowler delivered an off-cutter which the Indian opener perceived as width on offer and went back to cut only to inside-edge onto his stumps. Just the start Bangladesh was looking for.
The 23-year-old nearly put the seal of confirmation over Bangladesh’s control over the game when he produced a full length delivery pitched on off-stump that shaped away a touch, enticing Robin Uthappa to drive away from his body, the ball catching the edge of his bat and going straight to Aftab Ahmed at point.
Mortaza’s early strikes were admirably complemented by the spin combo of Mohammad Rafique and Abdur Rehman. Suddenly, the visions of an upset at Port-of-Spain were raised by the Bangladesh bowlers.
The Bangladesh pace spearhead returned for his final spell and applied the finishing touches to the Indian innings, dislodging Ajit Agarkar and Munaf Patel as India folded for 191 in 48.3 overs.
Mortaza figures read 9.3-2-38-4 - his bowling effort was a big factor in Bangladesh notching up only their third World Cup win – backed by super batting from Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh closed out the match with nine balls to spare losing five wickets in the match.
Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar only underpinned the value of Mortaza’s four-wicket burst which allowed their batters to chase down a target of 192. “Mortaza was terrific. If your opening bowler takes wickets in his first spell, then you can hope to bowl the opposition out for less than 200,” he said.
Coach Dav Whatmore also took note of how the bowler has shaped up well despite the injury clouds that keep hovering around from time to time. “Mashrafe Mortaza has been managed really well. He had two major reconstructions in his very young career so far, but in the last 18 months he hasn't missed a game because of injury and that is a very good thing.”
Mortaza was named Man of the Match and dedicated the award to his best friend and teammate Manjural Islam, who died in a road accident near Dhaka on the eve of the match.
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