Super over controversy and a frustrated captain – a dramatic ODI series decider between India and Bangladesh ended in a tie today (July 22) drawing plenty of controversy.
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The series has already been a bruising one for India. They succumbed to their first ever ODI defeat to Bangladesh in the opening match and survived a worrying collapse in the second to make it 1-1. But, during today’s decider in Mirpur, the wheels well and truly came off, in more ways than one.
Bangladesh posted 225-4 in their innings, their second-highest ODI total of all time. Fargana Hoque made her first ODI century, finishing on 107 from 160 and supported by a fifty from Shamima Sultana. India needed to pull off their third-highest successful ODI chase of all time to win the series.
By the time Harmanpreet Kaur came to the crease, India were over halfway to their target with more than 21 overs left. Kaur has struggled for consistency across both white-ball series in Bangladesh. Alongside her two half-centuries, she also recorded a golden duck and was part of India’s almighty collapse in the first ODI.
Her dismissal in this match, lbw to Nahida Akter, was its turning point. She immediately made her displeasure at the decision known, smashing her bat into the stumps, a violation of the ICC’s Code of Conduct for which she will undoubtedly face a sanction. She also shouted at umpire Tanvir Ahmed as she walked off the field. It’s unclear exactly what her opposition to the dismissal was, whether she thought she had hit the ball before it went into her pad or that the ball was going down the leg side. But by the post-match press conference, her frustration had not dissipated.
“I think a lot of learning from this game,” said Kaur. “Even apart from cricket the type of umpiring that was happening there, we were very surprised. I think the next time whenever we come to Bangladesh we will make sure we have to deal this type of umpiring and accordingly we will have to prepare ourselves.
“I think we leaked a few runs but when we were batting we controlled the game very well but as I mentioned earlier some pathetic umpiring was done and we’re really disappointed about some decisions given by the umpires.”
After Kaur was out with another 66 runs still needed, India lost wickets at regular intervals as they inched closer to their target. Deol and Deepti Sharma were out in the same over before the game reached its dramatic conclusion when No.11, Meghna Singh, came to the crease with nine still needed.
Facing the final three balls of the penultimate over, Singh struck a four down the ground, following it with a single off the next ball to take strike for the next over. That left the in-form Jemimah Rodrigues on 32 from 44 stranded at the other end. The equation was down to three runs from six balls.
Two singles brought the scores to level before Singh edged a ball wide outside the off stump from Marufa Akter through to the keeper, drawing huge celebrations from the Bangladesh fielders. Some confusion ensued over whether that was the end of the match or whether the series would be decided via a super-over.
Under Article 16 of the ICC’s playing conditions, there should have been a super over. It states: “If the teams’ scores are equal after both innings have been completed, then a Super Over shall be played to determine the winner. If the Super Over is a tie, then unless exceptional circumstances arise subsequent Super Overs shall be played until there is a winner.”
However, the line from the match officials was that the scheduled time for the match to be completed had elapsed. No Super Over took place, meaning the trophy was shared, with the series finishing 1-1.
It’s a huge result for Bangladesh who, before this series, had only recorded ODI series wins or draws against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland.
