A maiden ODI century for Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped Bangladesh secure a dramatic five-run win over India that sealed a series victory despite the best efforts of injured captain Rohit Sharma.
Miraz (100 not out) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (77) combined for a crucial stand of 148 as hosts Bangladesh dug themselves out of a hole to recover from 69-6 and set India a target of 272 that they came so close to achieving in unlikely circumstances.
Rohit, despite coming off injured during the Bangladesh innings and requiring an x-ray on his thumb, came out to bat at number nine despite being in visible pain while the tourists' hopes were looking slim.
But he smashed five maximums as part of a rapid 51no from 28 balls to give his side a chance.
Needing 12 from the final two balls, Rohit hit the required six on the penultimate ball but could not repeat his feat with the final delivery of the day as Bangladesh clung on to delight a packed home crowd at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Miraz and Mahmudullah steadied the ship after a dreadful start for Bangladesh, before Nasum Ahmed (18no) kept the charge going with two fours and a six to help the home side to a competitive total at 271-7.
India were also slow to get going with the bat, Virat Kohli (5) opening in Rohit's initial absence, as he and Shikhar Dhawan (8) were dismissed with just 13 on the board, though Shreyas Iyer got India back on track with 82 runs in a key 102-ball knock.
Axar Patel (56) provided some big shots and vital support, but when Miraz removed Iyer lbw to halt the productive duo's partnership at 107, India's hopes then looked bleak when Axar was swiftly dismissed soon after by the impressive Ebadot Hossain (3-45).
It looked like game over when Mahmudullah bowled a maiden to a struggling Rohit to leave India needing 40 runs from the last two overs.
But Rohit came agonisingly close to securing victory in a dramatic conclusion, rapidly firing three sixes and two fours to leave India needing a six from the final ball, but bowler Mustafizur Rahman (1-43) held his nerve as Bangladesh claimed an unassailable 2-0 series lead ahead of the final match on Saturday.
Rohit shines for India
Despite a thumb injury that was clearly hindering him, Rohit was superb for India as he somehow got them back in the hunt from what looked like an impossible equation at 213-8 in the 46th over.
Rohit confirmed after the match that he would miss the third encounter due to the injury, after KL Rahul skippered India while his issue was assessed for most of the Bangladesh innings.
Marvellous Miraz
Miraz played a crucial role in both halves of the win for Bangladesh, breaking the three-figure mark for the first time at ODI level – his century coming from just 83 balls, with 12 boundaries that included four maximums.
He is only the second batter to score an ODI century after coming in at number eight or lower, after Simi Singh.
The all-rounder was also key with the ball, taking the key wickets of KL Rahul and Iyer while also taking the catch that removed Dhawan early on.
Jamaica Scorpions facing possible defeat after following on against T&T Red Force at Torouba
Jamaica Scorpions are in danger of losing another match this season after play on the second day of their fifth-round match against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Torouba on Thursday.
At stumps, Jamaica following on after being bowled out for 125 in response to Trinidad’s 302, were 199-5, a lead of 22 with only five second-innings wickets in hand.
Jamaica has been poor this season and Thursday was no different. Resuming on 5-1, the Scorpions were skittled out for 125. They would not have made as much had it not been for their bowlers Derval Green (39) and Jeavor Royal (27) who shared in an eight-wicket stand of 62 that took the side from an embarrassing 50-7.
Tion Webster was the main destroyer taking 5-30 with Terrance Hinds backing him up with 3-40.
Following on 177 behind, Jamaica lost Tevin Gilzene for two but found some steel in the form of a second-wicket stand of 104 between opener Leroy Lugg and Jermaine Blackwood. Lugg eventually fell to the bowling of Anderson Phillip for 66.
Blackwood and Carlos Brown added 50 for the third wicket but then Brown was dismissed by Imran Khan for 16 to leave Jamaica on 162-3.
Blackwood fell to Bryan Charles for 68 as Jamaica slipped to 172-4. Brad Barnes went for 14 leaving Jamaica in further trouble at 191-5, a lead of only 14.
Abhijai Mansingh will resume on 10 and Aldane Thomas seven when play begins on Friday.
Phillip has so far taken 2-21 and Charles 2-68 for Trinidad and Tobago who will be looking to wrap up victory on the third day of play.
Tournament leaders Harpy Eagles hold 77-run advantage over Hurricanes after day two at Providence
Tournament leaders Guyana Harpy Eagles ended day two of their final round game against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes with a 77-run second innings lead at Providence.
The Leewards made 247 all out off 92.1 overs after starting the day 133-5.
Captain Jahmar Hamilton finished not out on 58 while Kofi James contributed 42 and Rakheem Cornwall 24 against 4-33 from 12.1 overs from pacer Nial Smith and 3-51 off 31 overs from Veerasammy Permaul.
The Harpy Eagles ended the day 48-1 in their second innings, leading by 77 runs with Tagenarine Chanderpaul on 20 and Kevlon Anderson on 19.
Jeremiah Louis took the only wicket to fall so far, removing Matthew Nandu for three.
Moseley scores 112, Edward grabs 6-43 as Volcanoes hold narrow 24-run lead over Pride at Queen’s Park Oval
Shayne Moseley scored a hundred and Larry Edward took a six-wicket haul as the Windward Islands Volcanoes closed day two of their final round fixture with the Barbados Pride with a narrow 24-run second innings lead at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.
The Pride were bowled out for 227 off 90.4 overs in response to the Windwards’ 237 all out on day one.
Moseley scored 112 off 184 balls, his fifth first-class hundred, including 17 fours and one six.
Larry Edward took 6-43 off 29.4 overs for the Volcanoes.
The Windwards had a disastrous end to the day, losing four wickets in only eight overs.
Kimani Melius (7), Johann Jeremiah (0), Sherman Lewis (2) and Alick Athanaze (0) all fell as the Volcanoes ended day two 14-4 after eight overs with Kavem Hodge and Sunil Ambris at the crease on four and zero, respectively.
Jomel Warrican has, so far, taken two wickets from two overs without conceding a run.
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