Bangladesh skipper Mashrafee bin Murtaza put the team first before his personal interest paving the way for Sakib al Hasan to reach 200-wicket milestone before him during the third one-day international against South Africa on Wednesday. Mashrafee was rewarded by cricket God for his sacrifice as he followed Sakib soon to achieve the feat in the same match despite bowling just five overs.
Often regarded as the best cricketer ever to lead the Tigers and he showed his leadership quality in the game by giving Sakib a chance to outdo him on pitch that had suited to the left-arm spinner’s bowling.
Mashrafee began the day with 199 wickets to his tally but hardly the milestone looked to have any significance to his mind as he took him off from the attack after bowling two-over opening spell.
Mashrafee brought Sakib in the sixth over of the match and the left-arm spinner surpassed him in a quick span by taking the wickets of Faf Du Plessis and Hashim Amla.
It gave Sakib the honour of becoming the second Bangladeshi to take 200 wickets after fellow left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak
Sakib also became the fastest man in ODI history to achieve the double of 200 wickets and 4000 runs in his 156 matches.
Rain halted the play for a long time giving an impression that Mashrafee might require another match to join the duo in the record book.
However, after the play resumed after break of nearly three hours Masharfee picked up his prized scalp by removing danger-looking David Miller, who offered a catch to Sabbir Rahman for 44 to end his 63-run stand with JP Duminy.
Mashrafee showed his skill as a captain by unsettling the opponents with his clever bowling change and the way his bowlers responded it only proved that are all backing his decisions.
As a result, Bangladesh managed to restrict South Africa to 168-9 to give them a shot in the arm in pursuit of their maiden series win over South Africa.
-With New Age input
