An oddity from Mirpur in 2016 that remains one of cricket's most curious statistical coincidences
Cricket often dazzles with centuries and fifers, but sometimes, it's the oddities that make history worth remembering. One such anomaly occurred in Mirpur on February 24, 2016, during the opening match of the Asia Cup T20.
India defeated Bangladesh by 45 runs, but buried within the scorecard is a piece of trivia that has since fascinated statisticians: four Indian bowlers delivered identical figures - 4 overs, 23 runs, and an economy rate of 5.75.
Yes, you read that right. Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Ravichandran Ashwin all ended with the exact numbers. It was as if the bowlers had choreographed their spells to perfection.
The script started in a familiar style with the bat. Rohit Sharma’s blazing 83 off 55 balls, with 7 fours and 3 sixes, put India on track for a strong total. Supported by Hardik Pandya’s late cameo of 31 off 18, India scored 166/6 in 20 overs, a challenging total on the Mirpur pitch.
Credit: ESPN
Bangladesh’s bowlers worked hard but lacked consistency. While Al-Amin Hossain took 3 wickets, others, including Mashrafe Mortaza and Mustafizur Rahman, conceded runs at more than nine an over. The stage was set for India’s bowlers to display their control.
As Bangladesh began its chase, India’s attack combined guile with discipline. Nehra struck early, removing Mithun and later dismissing Mahmudullah and Mortaza.
Credit: ESPN
Bumrah, always reliable with the new ball, trapped Soumya Sarkar and controlled the scoring rate with his yorkers. Hardik Pandya bowled energetically, taking the wicket of Sabbir Rahman, while Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Imrul Kayes with his off-spin.
Credit: ESPN
But what makes the night memorable is the uncanny symmetry in their returns. Each of the four bowled their full quota of overs, each conceded exactly 23 runs in 4 overs. Their economy rate? A uniform 5.75. Such statistical harmony is almost unheard of in T20 cricket, where one miscalculated over can change everything.
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Not to be left out, Ravindra Jadeja also maintained tight lines, returning 0 for 25 in his 4 overs. Together, the attack constrained Bangladesh, conceding just 121/7 in 20 overs. The hosts managed only seven boundaries and four sixes during their innings, with Sabbir Rahman’s 44 being the only resistance.
India’s collective effort ensured that Bangladesh never reached the required rate, and the four bowlers’ coordinated figures became the headline oddity.
In a sport that thrives on numbers, it's often the rare coincidences that get celebrated even more than records. Imagine two bowlers ending up with identical figures—sounds impressive, right? But four doing so in the same innings, matching runs, overs, almost wickets, and economy—it’s almost like something out of a cricket fantasy!
Credit: TOI
This fun fact really showcases the harmony of India’s 2016 bowling attack, which blended pace, swing, seam, and spin so beautifully. For cricket fans, it’s one of those “did you know?” stories that add to the delightful quirks of the game, beyond the big milestones and fierce rivalries.
India has had plenty of unforgettable Asia Cup moments—from Kohli’s brilliant display in 2012 to Siraj’s smashing performance in 2023—but that quirky 2016 opening game in Mirpur will always be remembered for a funny line in the scorebook: four bowlers, one spell, one story.
