The night Mushfiq's wicketkeeping blunder ruined Eid for millions

Sports

TBS Report
05 June, 2021, 05:50 pm
Last modified: 05 June, 2021, 10:06 pm
Any Bangladeshi cricket fan would have a nightmare just remembering that night.

Bangladesh had big hopes for the ICC World Cup 2019. The cricketers and coaching staff were all very confident of playing in the semis of the tournament. But the team was nowhere near the semis. 

Well, they could have played or fought for their place till the end. But Mushfiqur Rahim with his horrendous blunder nipped all the probabilities in the bud and ruined the Eid day of millions of Bangladeshis. And any Bangladeshi cricket fan would have a nightmare just remembering that night.

Bangladesh had a fine start to their World Cup campaign earlier by beating South Africa in their first match.

Then came June 5, 2019. Eid day in Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh faced New Zealand in their second match searching for another win. They set a target of 245 runs thanks to Shakib Al Hasan's 64-run innings. 

The Kiwis were struggling in the chase. They lost two early wickets and were 60 for 2 when Mushfiq made probably the most terrible blunder of his life. 

It all happened on the second ball of the 12th over when Williamson responded late to Ross Taylor's call for a single after the latter hit a Shakib Al Hasan delivery to mid-on. What further didn't work in Williamson's favour was a brilliant throw at his end.

With Williamson nowhere in the frame, all Rahim had to do was collect the ball and dislodge the bails. While Rahim did all of that, he did it after dislodging the bails with his arms.

After the square leg umpire referred the decision to the third umpire, replays confirmed Rahim committing a howler to give another chance to the rival skipper. 

The faces say it all.

The pair added 100 more runs after that and New Zealand eventually won the match by 2 wickets.

The Eid night was ruined for millions of Bangladeshis. They were rightly devastated. What could have been one of the happiest Eids of their lives turned into one of their worst nightmares. Celebrations came to a standstill. 

Bangladesh lost a huge opportunity to continue their winning run in the campaign and give something to go mad about to their fans. Bangladesh eventually bowed out from the tournament as they managed to beat only Afghanistan and the Windies after that. This win against New Zealand could have proved vital in achieving their dream. But it wasn't meant to be. 

The knives were out for Mushfiqur after the defeat because it has long been perceived that his keeping errors had cost Bangladesh at crucial junctures. 

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