India middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer registered his maiden half-century in the third and final T20I against Bangladesh at Vidarbha Cricket Stadium in Nagpur on Sunday.
The 24-year-old completed his fifty off just 27 balls that included five sixes and one four. In his innings, Iyer also hit three consecutive sixes off spinner Afif Hossain in the 15th over.
Shreyas Iyer was on fire
After KL Rahul’s wicket, Bangladesh was looking in control and to cover up one of the bowlers’ over, Mahmudullah introduced Afif Hossain into the attack only to regret it after the first three balls. Iyer sensed an opportunity to attack and he made his intentions clear off the very first delivery of the over. Afif delivered it from round the wicket and Iyer nonchalantly smacked it over long-on.
Though he didn’t time it well, the sheer power which went into the shot took it over the line. The bowler then changed the angle but to no avail as Iyer just stood still in the crease and slammed the ball straight down the ground. The youngster was feeling the heat and when he stopped in his run-up before bowling the third ball, the crowd booed him.
Hossain discussed a strategy with his skipper but nothing changed as Iyer went for the third consecutive and successfully connected it, this time over wide long-on.
Later, Iyer got dismissed at the score of 62 in the 17th over by getting caught out to Liton Das off Soumya Sarkar at long-off. India posted 174/5 on the board at the end of 20 overs.
