Former Indian opener Akash Chopra has picked Shakib Al Hasan as his player of the match in the first ODI between India and Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka on Sunday. The former Bangladesh spinner was at his best as he scalped five wickets and conceded only 36 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
Thus, he played a key role in skittling out the opposition at 186 runs. The left-arm orthodox spinner got the two big wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the same over. Subsequently, he returned back to give another double breakthrough as he dismissed Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar in the same over.
Hasan became the first Bangladeshi spinner to take a five-wicket haul against India. It was a slow and low pitch and Hasan made most of the favorable conditions on offer.
While reviewing the match, Chopra said, “Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bowl, and he shocked and troubled all of us. My Player of the Match is Shakib Al Hasan. How do you do it? Of course, Mehidy Hasan Miraz came in the end and changed the entire story.”
Chopra gave credit to Shakib for keeping India at 186 and also to Mehidy Hasan Miraz for finishing the game.
“Of course, everyone remembers what happens later. It was an unlikely win that Mehidy Hasan Miraz made possible but if you had not been able to restrict India to 186, the job would have been difficult.”
Hasan got the big wickets in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and also dismissed India’s lower-order batters.
“Shakib Al Hasan picked up five wickets here and dismissed big players, whether it was Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, he made everyone lick the dust. He didn’t dismiss KL Rahul but also got Washington Sundar, Thakur and Chahar out. A five-wicket haul is phenomenal.”
Furthermore, the left-hander also scored 29 runs in the run-chase. Bangladesh looked down and out but Mehidy Hasan got them over the line with a fine knock of 38 runs. Ergo, he was awarded the Player of the Match.
The second ODI will be played on Wednesday.
