Mashrafee Bin Mortuza dived desperately in the deep backward square-leg area but fell agonisingly FROM PAGE 12
short and Australia captain Ricky Ponting survived to defy Bangladesh earn their most-coveted win in history with a thrilling three-wicket victory in the first Test of two at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium yesterday.
The 31-year-old Aussie skipper stood tall with a stupendous unbeaten knock of 118 to not only steal the nerve-wrecking match away from the Tigers but in the process he also restored his side's pride as 'best team in the world' in a match which has already been branded as one of the best.
Despite the defeat, Habibul Bashar's men won the hearts of many as they shone with intensity in their performance, especially in the way they pushed the far superior side in the fifth and final day, riding on Mohammad Rafique's brilliant bowling. It was definitely something new in Bangladesh'slonger-version history.
It could have however all been so different, not only for the fans in the country but also for the world fraternity, had Mashrafee not missed a difficult chance in a crucial stage of the match just before thelunch break.
Paceman Shahadat Hossain banged one in short and Ponting responded with his trademark pull shot. However unlike usual the ball skied to deep backward square-leg where Mashrafee dived and missed a swirling chance with Australia still needing 24 runs to reach the target.
The fifth and final day started balanced on a knife-edge. The equation was simple. Australia needed 95 runs and Bangladesh required six wickets.
And Mohammad Rafique gave the Tigers a perfect start and raised hopes across the country when he removed first innings centurion Adam Gilchrist (12) with a beautiful delivery in his second over of the day with Australia adding only 13 runs to the overnight score of 212.
Expectations soared and nerves heightened when the ace left-arm spinner also proceeded to trap Shane Warne (5) leg before with the opponents' scoreboard reading 231 for six. However from potential disastrous situation for the visitors, Brett Lee joined his captain to steady the innings with a 36-run seventh wicket stand.
Rewarding the captain's decision to take the new ball after 96.1 overs, tearaway Mashrafee rekindled the home side's hope when he had Lee, who added valuable 29 off 74 balls, fending a thick edge to wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud.
But Jason Gillespie, who survived 18 balls for an unbeaten 4, proved a trusted ally as he helped his skipper to guide Australia to safety and take them home within 20 minutes of the postlunch session on a pitch which held its own for five days.
Australia, who haven't lost a Test since surrendering the Ashes, finally reached 307 for seven in 107 overs and it was because of yet another Ponting hundred, his 31st in 104 matches, which means he is now four behind India's Sachin Tendulkar.
The right-hander, who started the day on 72 runs, occupied the crease for 253-minutes to score his runs off 253 deliveries that produced 13 boundaries.
Rafique added two more wickets on the day to finish with second innings figures of 4-56 to take his match tally to nine wickets after a 5 for 62 in the first innings.
Australia vice-captain Gilchrist was adjudged man-of-the-match for his match-saving 144 runs in the first innings.
"The final outcome once again proved why we are most consistent and best team in the world," said the dashingleft-hander.
The second and final Test match will start from April 16 at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.