Bangladesh-Zimbabwe match ended in a nail-biting finish. But the end was dramatic and a bit confusing for the fans.
Sixteen were needed in the last over and skipper Shakib al Hasan opted for off-spinner Mosaddek Hossain. Mosaddek directed the first ball to Ryan Burl's pads and the batters crossed over for a leg bye.
Brad Evans had a swing off the second ball and was caught at deep mid-wicket boundary by Afif Hossain.
Then the drama began.
Richard Ngarava struck 10 off the next two to bring the game back in Zimbabwe's favor. Just five runs were required from two and Ngarava was then stumped by wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan and thus, Bangladesh were back in the game again.
Then off the last ball five runs were needed and the batsman was No 10 Blessing Muzarabani. Mosaddek bowled a fuller delivery and Muzarabani missed it and eventually got stumped by Nurul.
Bangladesh players were ecstatic and celebrated in the middle. Zimbabwe spectators were frustrated after losing the match by such a short margin, following their last ball win against Pakistan in the previous game.
Players and officials from both teams came to the ground and shook hands as a customary ritual of sportsmanship. By that time, umpires uprooted the stumps and Bangladesh fans were cheering loudly.
Then suddenly there was an ongoing talk between umpires and Bangladesh captain Shakib. The team circled around them and Zimbabwean batsmen Ryan Burl and Blessing Muzarabani were still standing in their batting gear.
Most of the journalists here at the press box at the Gabba, mostly Bangladeshis, were preparing to attend the post-match press conference and few of them already left the press box and started heading towards the conference room.
Also Read: Bangladesh edge past Zimbabwe in thriller
Then the final part of the drama unfolded as the wickets were prepared again and players entered the field.
Someone from the press box shouted with surprise, “Oh my God! What is happening?”
Everyone turned their attention to the field as players were walking towards the middle and it looked like the game was restarting.
The crowd looked confused and so did the journalists at the press box. Everyone was looking at the TV screens and checking with the officials to know exactly what was going on.
Within a few moments it was learnt that the last ball Muzarabani had faced and got stumped, the third umpire had a look at it and later it was found that keeper Nurul collected the ball in front of the stumps.
And thus, eventually it was called a no-ball and Zimbabwe got the free hit!
Mosaddek kept his cool and fired in a dot to end things for good this time. He bowled outside off and Muzarabani swung the willow and missed. Nurul collected the ball cleanly this time and celebrated ironically.
What a finish, what a game considering all the drama happening out there. Bangladesh won a memorable game by three runs.
It was a huge relief for Bangladesh. Just imagine if that last ball had gone to the boundary, envision the nightmares gloveman Nurul may have had if this had turned against them because of that one error?
For the weekend crowd it was like a rollercoaster ride. Last over drama, joy for Bangladesh fans, frustration for the Zimbabwean spectators, then the no-ball drama, tension in the faces of Tigers followers and hope for the Chevrons, and finally, ecstasy for the red and green and sorrow for the Africans.
