Mustafizur’s historic actions

If you missed all the actions of the 19-year-old left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman last night then here is a recap for you.

The Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur, who played the key role in Bangladesh’s win over India in the first ODI, yesterday became the second bowler in cricketing history to take a five-for in his first two ODIs.

His off-cutter in the last ball of the 42nd over earned him the back-to-back five-wickets in the first two of the three-match one-day international series against India. Ravichandran Ashwin was his fifth prey as he tried a poke at the ball, but instead edged it through to the keeper.

Mustafizur's magic kept Bangladesh's target to a nominal 200. Chasing down a revised target, the hosts buoyed by a responsible half-century from Shakib Al Hasan and waltzed to a win with 9 overs remaining.

Mustafizur’s carnage began from his first ball, when Rohit Sharma, who seemed to be in the mood to take the attack to the hosts right from the go, played a half-hearted drive that was brilliantly caught at point by Sabbir Rahman. India had lost a wicket without any runs on board.

The third delivery of the 35th over though saw him unleash the lethal off-cutter. It bounced, jagged back and all Suresh Raina could do was poke at the ball managing it to edge through to the keeper.

If the teammates hugged Mustafizur following that wicket, they were pouncing on him three overs later as another one of his cutters deceived the Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Dhoni hadn't picked the twist in Mustafizur's wrist and played the drive too early. The result was a mere lob to Soumya Sarkar.

Mustafizur continued to spring surprises as he followed the cutter that dismissed Dhoni, with a full delivery that trapped Axar Patel in front and removed him first ball.

He was on a hattrick for the second consecutive time in the series, but the drama was not to be stretched that far – a cautious Ravichandran Ashwin was smart enough to defend that delivery.

However, Ashwin, like the rest of the batsmen in the order, was deceived by Mustafizur's cutter an over later and edged one to the keeper in the 42nd over.

The game resumed after two hours and Mustafizur bowled a full-length off-cutter to bowl a sorry-looking Ravindra Jadeja.

Eleven wickets in his first two matches -- a world record -- against one of the best batting line-ups in the world; there's not a lot more that the left-hander could have asked for.