Images from the first T20 International between India and Bangladesh, in New Delhi, on Sunday.
Mushfiqur Rahman singlehandedly fired Bangladesh to their maiden T20 victory over India with an unbeaten 60, the fancied hosts choking in the smog-hit series opener, in New Delhi, on Sunday.
As cricket held centre stage despite severe pollution in the city, Bangladesh negotiated the pitch better than India, who put up 148 for six on a sticky surface.
India’s batsmen appeared over-cautious after being invited to bat as the young brigade disappointed the 25,000 strong fans who braved severe smog to pack the Arun Jaitley stadium.
Chasing 149, Bangladesh overhauled the target with three balls to spare and recorded their first win over India in nine meetings.
With Bangladesh needing 22 off the last 12 balls, Rahim (60 not out off 43) smashed four boundaries off as many deliveries in the penultimate over, bowled by Khaleel Ahmed, to tilt the game his team's way.
He and Soumya Sarkar (39 off 35 balls) added 60 runs for the third wicket to steer Bangladesh closer to victory.
The second T20 will be played in Rajkot on Thursday.
After Khaleel cleaned up Sarkar, Rahim was dropped by Krunal Pandya off Chahal when the batsman was on 38.
Bangladesh lost Liton Das (7) early but debutant Mohammed Naim (26) and the experienced Sarkar added 46 runs for the second wicket to keep India worried.
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal tested the Bangladesh batsmen with his variations but Naim and Sarkar played smartly, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Naim, considered Bangladesh's future star, went after Chahal but ended up giving an easy catch to Shikhar Dhawan at long-on.
The strategy of working the ball around rather than playing aggressive worked wonders for the visitors.
Rahim would have been back in the pavilion had India taken review in the 10th over. Chahal's appeal for an lbw was turned down and replays showed that he was out.
Sarkar swung his arm to produce a massive six off Krunal Pandya as Bangladesh began the push for victory.
Earlier, there were no demons in the wicket, yet none of the batsmen played a substantial knock as India settled for a below-par 148 for six in their 20 overs.
It was a struggle for the Indian batsmen, who are without regular captain Virat Kohli, throughout their innings after they were invited to bat.
At the top, after skipper Rohit Sharma's early dismissal, Shikhar Dhawan scored at a slow pace, managing just 41 off 42 balls.
Dhawan, who has been struggling to find his touch since his comeback, was top-the scorer but he consumed seven overs before running himself out and it affected India scoring rate.
Much was expected from India's young brigade but, save Shreyas Iyer, none took the attack by the scruff of its neck.
Iyer played an entertaining 13-ball 22–run knock, giving the innings the much-needed move on.
Shivam Dube's much-awaited debut ended with just one run while Rishabh Pant struggled in the end overs to score 27 off 26 balls.
Had it not been for some gritty stroke-making by Washington Sundar (14 off 5 balls) and Krunal Pandya (15 off 8 balls), India would not have got near the 150-run mark.
Pacer Shafiul Islam (2/36) and spinner Aminul Isam (2/22) shared four wickets between them.
India skipper Rohit, playing his 99th T20I, began by glancing the first delivery from Shafiul to the boundary ropes and also cover drove the paceman for another four as the hosts made a flying start.
However, Islam cut short his stay by trapping him before wicket with the fifth delivery.
KL Rahul and Dhawan struggled to stroke freely and it took the left-handed batsman 13 balls to find his first boundary, off Mustafizur Rahman.
Rahul's 17-ball stay yielded just 15 runs and his knocked ended with a soft dismissal.
Iyer, who captained Delhi Capitals in the IPL at this ground, got into act immediately, striking a massive six, an inside-out shot off spinner Aminul Islam.
The young batsman kept looking for big shots and dispatched one into the stands off Islam while Dhawan continued to struggle.
Iyer went after Aminul again but was caught by debutant Mohammed Naim near the boundary ropes.
