Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-It was the World Cup 1999 edition. Bangladesh and Scotland were both associates when the two teams met at Edinburgh on May 24.
The Tigers and the Scots were both aiming for a maiden World Cup victory, and considering the conditions, the Scots were tipped as slight favorites, reports BCB.
In bowler-friendly conditions, Scotland skipper G Salmond put Bangladesh to bat after winning the toss.
Having lost the first two matches with New Zealand and West Indies scoring below 200 on both occasions, the pressure was on the Bangladesh batting line-up to deliver the goods in a match that would have been targeted for a realistic winning chance prior to the tournament.
A disastrous beginning to the innings saw Bangladesh in trouble at 5 for 26 in the 11th over with the top-order failing to counter some accurate swing bowling from the Scotland quicks.
None of the top 5 could go past the single digit, and the fans that had come to cheer for the Tigers might have already started to feel another defeat on the cards.
In came Minhazul Abedin, and partnering him Naimur Rahman Durjoy.
The two forged a decent partnership to weather the initial collapse, and with contribution from Enamul Haque from the tail-end, Bangladesh managed 185 for 9 playing out their share of 50 overs.
‘Nannu’ remained undefeated on 68 from 116 balls.
Extras played a vital part in Bangladesh’s innings, contributing the second highest score of 44.
Scotland began their innings in a similar fashion to the Tigers’: in disaster.
But they had their share of resistance, with their star batsman Gavin Hamilton holding up one end like a thorn on the path of the Tiger’s victory.
His innings ended in misfortune, and it was just the lucky break that swayed the match into Bangladesh’s hands.
Davies struck left-arm quick Manjural Islam straight back, and Manujral on his follow-through got a finger on the ball which then crashed into the stumps at the non-strikers end.
Hamilton was out of his crease at the non-strikers and had no time to drag his bat back over the line.
Bangladesh sealed the match moments later as the Scotland innings finally ended in the 47th over with 163 on the board.
A 22-run victory for Bangladesh was their first in World Cups.
15 years later, Bangladesh face Scotland in a World Cup match once again, but this time Bangladesh is a 14- year old Test playing nation, while Scotland still remain an associate.
It will be a match in which the Tigers will go into as favorites to win, and a victory could take them a long way in moving past the group stages this edition.
Lots have changed in 15 years for both sides, and the Tiger fans would hope that the result that was achieved 15 years back would not change this time round as well!
BBN/SS-02Mar15-5:20pm (BST)
