Mahmudullah 43 vs Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2018 Nidahas Trophy:
Mahmudullah Riyad’s 43-run innings against Sri Lanka in Nidahas Trophy T20 tournament could easily be considered as one of the best T20I innings from a Bangladeshi batsman till date. Considering the match situation on and off the field with many incidents, such innings under pressure is surely something special. Bangladesh chased 160 with one ball to spare and two wickets in hand thanks to Mahmudullah heroics. Mahmudullah’s 43 came off just 18 deliveries with three fours and two sixes. Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh needed to win their last group match to reach the final of the tournament against India. As many as 12 runs were needed in last over. Mahmudullah struck a brilliant boundary over cover in third ball of the over and took two in the fourth ball. In the next delivery, he smashed a superb sixer over deep fine leg to take Bangladesh in to the final.
Ashraful 61 vs West Indies at Johannesburg in 2007 World T20
It was the first ever T20I World Cup and it was held in South Africa in 2007. Bangladesh just started their T20I journey one year earlier. But they made a mark by defeating West Indies in one of their group stage matches in the tournament. Batting first, West Indies had scored 164 which was a challenging total for Tigers in a fast and bouncy wicket. In reply, Bangladesh managed to chase down the total even with two overs in hand. Credit goes to two superb half-centuries from Aftab Ahmed and Mohammad Ashraful. Batting at number three Aftab carried the innings and remained unbeaten scoring 62 off 49 deliveries with 8 fours and one six. But skipper Ashraful played a blistering knock of 61 off just 27 deliveries with seven fours and three sixes. Man of the match Ashraful scored those runs with a strike rate of 225 and that innings was certainly one of the best for Tigers in T20I.
Mushfiq 60* vs India at Delhi in 2019
Bangladesh cricket was in turmoil just before the India series back in October 2019. First class cricketers along with all national team players called for a strike and made a 11-point demand. Later, the issue was resolved with BCB and players called off the strike. That followed with the shocking news of Shakib al Hasan being banned. The star all-rounder was banned by ICC in October 29 due to failure of reporting to concerned authorities about match-fixing. Under such consequences Bangladesh went to play against India on November 2019. And in the very first match of the three-match series Bangladesh defeated India, first time in their history in T20Is, at Delhi. Chasing 149 on a tricky pitch and in tough weather condition (difficult air quality index at that day in Delhi ), Mushfiq played a brilliant unbeaten 60-run innings with 8 fours and one six. Although it was a second string India side, but it was a crucial win for Bangladesh to get back in cricket after passing such a turbulent situation off the field in last few weeks then. And as a senior player Mushfiq played his part with a superb knock under pressure.
Mushfiq 72 not out chasing 214 vs Sri Lanka at 2018 Nidahas Trophy
Mushfiq’s another gem of an innings features the list as the right-hander scored a sublime unbeaten 72 against hosts Sri Lanka at Nidahas Trophy when Bangladesh chased down a massive target of 215 runs on March 10, 2018. Batting first, Sri Lanka produced a strong performance as they post 214 losing six wickets in their 20 overs. In front of their home crowd at packed Premadasa stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka were favorites to defend the total. But Bangladesh batsmen were in the hunt from the beginning as openers Tamim Iqbal (47 off 29) and Liton Kumar Das (43 off 19) gave a solid start. And in the middle order Mushfiq played a magnificent 72-run innings off just 35 deliveries to guide Tigers to their record chase in their T20I history. Mushfiq’s brilliant knock was composed of five fours and four sixes and Bangladesh won by five wickets in the end.
Sabbir 80 vs Sri Lanka at Dhaka in 2016 Asia Cup
Sabbir Rahman’s 80-run innings against Sri Lanka in 2016 Asia Cup is accommodated in the list considering the tricky Mirpur wicket in that day. Winning the toss Bangladesh opted to bat first but they made a horrible start. Both the openers Mohmmad Mithun (0) and Soumya Sarker (0) returned to pavilion within 1.3 overs. At number three, Sabbir played a crucial 80-run innings. Bangladesh finished their 20 overs as 147 for 7. Apart from Sabbir, only two batsmen, Shakib (32) and Mahmuduallah 23, scored in double digits. In reply Sri Lanka only managed to score 124 for 8 in 20 overs and Bangladesh won by 23 runs. The pitch was difficult to bat on as the second highest individual score from the match was 37 (from 37 deliveries and scored by Dinesh Chandimal) among the two teams. But Sabbir’s innings was special that day and he batted fluently in that difficult wicket as his 80 runs came off just 54 deliveries with a strike rate of 148.14 and with 10 fours, three sixes. That win in the group stage was important for Bangladesh and Tigers later reached the final of the tournament.
