Bangladesh lost another see-saw final

DINESH KARTIK dashed the last hopes for Bangladesh to clinch the title of Nidahas trophy. When he came to the crease, India required 34 off 12 balls. What unfolded over the next few minutes was an incredible finish that took the match away from Bangladesh. Karthik - phenomenally cool at the crease - seized ruthlessly on the string of the small mistakes committed by the Tigers.

He punished Rubel Hossain in the penultimate over, as the bowler continually missed his yorkers. Twenty-two runs were hit off that over, but Karthik's best moment came at the end of the next. India now needing five off the last ball, he drilled a wide half volley from Soumya Sarkar over the extra cover. His team-mates flew out of the dressing room to greet him, engulfing him in a frenzied huddle.

The defeat will haunt us for a long time. Mustafizur took one wicket and gave away one run, which was a leg bye, in the 18th over. But Rubel undid the good works of Mustafizur and conceded 22 runs in the next over!, despite two run outs.

The Tigers can take solace from the fact that they went so close to victory against India, one of the most formidable outfits of the world. Sabbir played the lead role as a batsman and helped make a competitive total. The Tigers beat the Sri Lankans twice on their own backyard which was no mean achievement. Well done, Tigers!

Masud Rana

Dhanmondi, Dhaka