Sports Desk:
Rishab Pant hit a half-century as India compiled 182-5 against Bangladesh in a warm-up game of the T20 World Cup today at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York today.Pant, who met a fatal accident 18 months ago, hammered 32 ball-53 before retiring hurt to pave the platform of a big total. Hardik Pandya gave the finishing touch astutely with 23 ball-40 not out with two fours and four sixes.On his first competitive game apart from the IPL since his accident Pant drove the side after India won the toss and chose to bat first.Fast bowler Shoriful Islam gave Bangladesh a good start, having claimed the wicket of Sanju Samson for 1 in the second over before Pant and captain Rohit Sharman ensured the joy of the Tigers would be short lived.They combined for a 48-run for the second wicket after which Mahmudullah Riyad broke through with the wicket of Rohit who made 23 off 19 with two fours and one six.Surykumar Yadav also got a start but failed to convert it as left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam had him caught by Towhid Hridoy after he contributed 31 off 18 with four fours.Pant who looked in supreme touch then retired to give the other batters an opportunity to bat. Pant hammered four fours and as many sixes in his knock.Shivam Duve however couldn’t carry on for long as he was dismissed for 14 by the bowling of Mahedi Hasan.However Pandya ensured that India would get a good total to give Bangladesh a headache.