Head to head
On the eve of the first ODI between India and Bangladesh at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Cricinfo looks at the battles that could make the difference
Sidharth Monga in Mirpur
09-May-2007
On the eve of the first ODI between India and Bangladesh at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Cricinfo looks at the battles that could make the difference.
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Tamim Iqbal v Zaheer Khan
Thirty-four runs off 25 balls, and a six that rang around the World Cup. Five more boundaries to boot and there's every reason a fast bowler with a typically elephantine memory would be looking for revenge. Tamim reacted to being hit by Zaheer by stepping out the next ball and smashing him for a huge six over wide long-on. A similar dance first ball tomorrow won't be a bad start at all.
Thirty-four runs off 25 balls, and a six that rang around the World Cup. Five more boundaries to boot and there's every reason a fast bowler with a typically elephantine memory would be looking for revenge. Tamim reacted to being hit by Zaheer by stepping out the next ball and smashing him for a huge six over wide long-on. A similar dance first ball tomorrow won't be a bad start at all.
Virender Sehwag v Mashrafe Mortaza
Sehwag was bowled for two by Mortaza at the World Cup. The two times out of six that Sehwag failed to get into double figures, India ended up losing to Bangladesh. And both those times he was clean bowled by Mortaza. That could be inspiration enough for Mortaza to brave his back pain and have another go at Sehwag.
Sehwag was bowled for two by Mortaza at the World Cup. The two times out of six that Sehwag failed to get into double figures, India ended up losing to Bangladesh. And both those times he was clean bowled by Mortaza. That could be inspiration enough for Mortaza to brave his back pain and have another go at Sehwag.
Habibul Bashar v Rahul Dravid
Their tales couldn't be any more different. Bashar struggled with the bat and the results initially but he's started winning more frequently in recent times. Dravid the captain had a superb start, steamrolling Sri Lanka at home, but had a poor World Cup. During their loss to Bangladesh at the World Cup, Dravid's decision to bat first came under scrutiny and, on a pitch that took turn, Bashar employed his trio of left-arm spinners extremely effectively. Both captains are under pressure at the start of this series. It could be a matter of who handles it better.
Sidharth Monga is a staff writer with Cricinfo Magazine