Miraz credits Litton, Shanto for crucial review in third Pakistan ODI

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz revealed that a crucial review in the closing moments of the final ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan on Sunday was taken on the advice of wicketkeeper Litton Das and teammate Najmul Hossain Shanto, a decision that ultimately helped seal the series for Bangladesh.

With Pakistan needing 12 runs from the final two balls, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain delivered a ball outside leg stump that Shaheen Shah Afridi failed to connect with. The on-field umpire initially signalled it as a wide, reducing Pakistan’s equation to 11 runs from two balls and keeping the visitors in the contest.

At that moment, Bangladesh opted for a clever tactical move. Despite knowing it would not result in an LBW decision, Miraz chose to review the call. The idea was simple. If the ball had brushed the bat before reaching the wicketkeeper, it would no longer count as a wide.

Replays confirmed that the ball had indeed grazed Afridi’s bat before reaching the keeper. The wide call was overturned and, although it did not produce a wicket, the cancellation of the extra effectively secured Bangladesh’s victory.

Pakistan captain Afridi appeared to object when Bangladesh opted for the review, seemingly questioning the reason behind it and whether it had been taken within the allotted time. However, the review stood.

Following the delivery, Litton was seen approaching Miraz to discuss the decision, with Shanto and other teammates soon joining the conversation.

After Bangladesh sealed the series with an 11-run win at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Miraz explained the thinking behind the move during the post-match press conference.

“We discussed the review together. Litton and Shanto were there,” Miraz said. “Both of them suggested that since we still had reviews left, we should take it. We knew we had two reviews available, and this was part of our plan.”

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh had appeared to be cruising after posting 290, thanks to a century from Tanzid Hasan Tamim.

Pakistan’s chase began shakily as they lost three wickets for 17 runs. Bangladesh bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman helped reduce the visitors to 82 for five, putting the hosts firmly in control.

However, a superb century from Salman Agha brought Pakistan back into the contest. At one stage, they needed 39 runs from the final four overs, creating tension in the closing stages.

Miraz admitted the match had become nerve-wracking.

“I always believed we would win the match, Inshallah,” he said. “But yes, it became very close. We couldn’t take wickets in the middle overs. If we had managed a few more wickets then, things might have been easier.”

After Salman’s dismissal, Pakistan required 28 runs from the final two overs. Afridi briefly raised hopes for the visitors by smashing two sixes off Mustafizur, but Pakistan ultimately fell short.

The victory ensured Bangladesh secured an ODI series win over Pakistan for only the second time.