Mushfiqur Rahim’s fifty goes in vain as Bangladesh go down against India

Mushfiqur Rahim continued his magnificent form by hitting his second consecutive fifty of the Nidahas Trophy 2018 tri-series, albeit in a losing cause as India beat Bangladesh by 17 runs

Mushfiqur Rahim continued his magnificent form in the Nidahas Trophy 2018 tri-series with his second consecutive fifty, but couldn’t help Bangladesh get past the finishing line as India won by 17 runs. (IND v BAN HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD)

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim plays a shot against India during their second Twenty20 cricket match in Nidahas triangular series in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday. (AP)

Rahim’s knock, combined with a solid fifty-plus stand with Sabbir Rahman helped Bangladesh get back on track after Washington Sundar had taken three wickets in a magnificent spell in the powerplay to rock Mahmudullah’s side. It didn’t prove to be enough in the end, with Rahim finishing with a total of 72 not out.

When Yuzvendra Chahal sent back the Bangladesh skipper, at 64/4, it looked all lost but Rahim continued from where he left off during his 72 off 35 balls against Sri Lanka on Monday.

The right-hander started slowly but he seized the opportunity in the 11th over bowled by Mohammed Siraj. He blasted a pull shot to deep mid wicket, steered a full ball to third man and mauled an inside out drive over extra cover to get going. Rahim sliced a full and wide ball from Vijay Shankar and aided by good strikes from Sabbir, kept Bangladesh in the hunt.

Bangladesh will next take on Sri Lanka for a place in the final against India.