Bangladesh v India

At Dhaka, December 26, 2004 (day/night). Bangladesh won by 15 runs. Toss: Bangladesh.

This was the most startling day of India's tour, as a depleted side - missing Tendulkar, Dravid, Harbhajan and Pathan - slid to a sensational 15-run defeat. Bangladesh had never won before at home, and this was only their third victory against a Test-playing nation, following victories over Pakistan at the 1999 World Cup and Zimbabwe in 2003-04. For once, 40,000 baying fans at the Bangabandhu had their dreams realised. The upset seemed entirely improbable when Bangladesh slipped to 88 for five, but the tail wagged vigorously, thanks to 67 from the supple-wristed Aftab Ahmed. Even a second-string Indian side should have had no difficulty chasing 230 on an easy pitch against gentle bowling. But they did not factor in the Bangladeshi spirit: their fielders fought for every run, clawed every catch, and struck the stumps every time they had to. The top three failed, and the middle order, led by Sriram, eked out a painful existence. Suddenly, the required rate climbed to a run-a-ball, and when Kaif ran himself out, the wheels came off, and Dhaka went wild. But even this triumph was badly timed: it was the day of the Asian tsunami, and the result was barely noticed across a traumatised continent.

Man of the Match: Mashrafe bin Mortaza.