The third ODI of the Zae n Zee cup was played at Dhaka which the home team has already clinched in the previous match. It was although a dead rubber but India was looking to get some pride whereas Bangladesh wanted to clinch the ‘Banglawash’. The toss was won by Masrafe Mortaza and India to bat first. There was some expectations of showers later in the day.
India started positively this time after two horrible matches in the series and Rohit Sharma attacked the Bangladeshi bowlers. Rohit looked fluent at the start and gave a solid start before getting dismissed by Mustafizur for the third time in the series. Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan steadied the Indian innings and built a solid partnership of 75 runs. Kohli was bowled by Shakib after attempting a slog sweep.
Dhawan continued to reach his second fifty of the series. Dhoni came in at number 4, surprisingly, at started to attack the spinners from the start. After Dhawan got out off 75 runs Dhoni and Rayudu settled the innings and took India past 250. Rayudu was caught behind by Mortaza by a wrong decision by the umpire.
Meanwhile, Dhoni reached his 59th fifty as well. Raina got the license to go after the bowlers and he played a cameo at the death. His 21 balls 38 took India past 300. Binny and Axar hit some boundaries in the late overs to post 317 off 50 overs. This time Mustafizur, the star bowler, got just 2 wickets. Mortaza picked three but went costly. India got a good total at the board and need their bowlers to support which was lacking in the previous games.
Bangladesh got to a shaky start and lost Tamim Iqbal early who was leg before by Kulkarni. Soumya Sarkar continued his good form and hitting boundaries at will. He went after Yadav and Binny before missing out a slower one by Kulkarni. Rahim and Litton tried to build a partnership. Dhoni tried with Raina and he didn’t disappoint the Indians as the picked up Rahim and Litton followed him.
Two quick blows gave India the upper hand. Shakib tried to gather some quick runs but Raina with his golden arm picked up his second wicket of the day. Shabbir showed some resistance and after he departed for 43 bowled by Binny, India can smell the first victory of the tour. It was a matter of time and Bangladesh folded for 240 in 47 overs. Raina picked up 3 wickets and was awarded the Man of the Match.
