Haider's brush with greatnessBangladesh left-arm pacer Abu Haider made his way into the T20I playing XI for the first time since March 2016, when the side locked horn with India in the Nidahas tri-nation series. Haider had come in place of right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed. Taskin conceded 68 runs in six overs in the tournament so far and the management thought of bringing in Haider for his second appearance against India. During the warm-up ahead of the toss, Haider was found in a huddle with interim Bangladesh head coach Courtney Walsh and makeshift pace bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake. Given both Walsh and Champaka's reputation as pacers from their time and as coaches - Haider must have felt lucky to have the greats around him before his return to the national fold.Rohit back among runsIndia stand-in captain Rohit Sharma was due some runs after scoring only 28 runs in the first three matches of the series. With India facing Bangladesh for the second time in the series, Rohit had yet another opportunity to go for runs against his supposedly favourite opponent in the format. And the India opener was spot on as he lasted till the last ball of the innings to score 89 off 61 balls and push India to 176 for the loss of three wickets, despite a slow start after being sent in to bat first. Rohit on the day went for biggies in the last part of the innings and ended with five boundaries and as many over boundaries.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
