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Video Clip: winning moment vs Australia, 2005

admin January 30, 2015 Golden Memory, Videos 6 Comments

Chowdhury Wafee Daraiat

Needing 7 runs to win from 6 balls in the last over, could put some serious pressure on any team. So was the pressure on Bangladesh, when Aftab Ahmed was on strike requiring 7 runs off the last over, against Australia, back in 2005. No one knows what mantra helped Aftab absorb all the pressure, and hit the first ball off the last over out off the park. Jason Gillespie’s next ball, was glided for single, to taste a majestic victory, and that too in English conditions. [Watch also Video Clip: Most funniest catch ever by Shakib Al Hasan]

Ashraful’s 101 ball hundred, was crucial to chase down a 250 run target set by the Aussies. He carried his willow to the crease, when Bangladesh was struggling at 2 for 51 in the 16th over. After a minuscule partnership with Javed Omar, he was joined by then Captain Habibul Bashar, when the required run rate had started to mount up, at 72 for 3 in the 21st over. However, the duo added 130 runs in the 4th wicket stand, to drag Bangladesh into a better position, before Bashar fell in the 44th over. 3 overs later, Ashraful departed right after scoring the 2nd century by a Bangladeshi Batsman. However, Mohammad Rafique’s aggression and Aftab’s coolness, in the last three overs helped Bangladesh create history.

Earlier, Mashrafe and Tapash Baisya, had removed Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting, within the first six overs, to give Bangladesh the perfect start. Soon Mathew Hayden was sent back to the dressing room, by Nazmul Hossain in the 16th over. An important 4th wicket Partnership, similar to that of the Bangladeshi innings, between Michael Clarke and Damien Martyn, helped Australia reach a modest total, with some hammering by Mike Hussey and Simon Katich. Tapash Baisya got 3 wickets for 69 runs.

However, the total that many thought would be impossible for a greenhorn team like Bangladesh to chase down, was successfully attained, to register one of the greatest upsets.

Bangladesh will play against Australia on the 21st of February this World Cup. Mashrafe might be the only man from that winning team to remain in today’s roster, but the spirit and the youth in the today’s Bangladesh team, could pull out another upset.