Test-playing Bangladesh suffered an embracing 32-run defeat against newcomers Afghanistan in their 2nd match of the five-nation Asia Cup Cricket at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Saturday.
With the day’s maiden victory in one of the big ICC tournaments, non-test playing Afghanistan gave a message to the cricket world about their strength and ability shocking the ICC full-member Bangladesh, after conceding a 72-run defeat against holders Pakistan.
This was the 2nd successive defeat for hosts Bangladesh, which fielded comparatively an inexperienced side on Saturday without injury grabbed Tamim Iqbal and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, and suspended world famed all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, after conceding six-wicket defeat against India.
Chasing a target of 255 runs, Bangladesh suffered an early blow losing both the openers Shamsur Rahman (0) and Anamul Haque (1) for just one run in two overs and finally were all out for 222 runs in 47.5 overs.
But in the 3rd wicket stand, Mominul Haque paring with captain Mushfiqur Rahim tried heir best to repair the early damage scoring 68 runs in 16.1 overs to carry the team total 69 for 3 in 18.1 overs before Mushfiqur Rahim was trapped lbw by opposition captain Mohammad Nabi.
Mushfiqur Rahim made 23 runs off 42 balls with one four while one down Mominul Haque scored 50 runs off 72 balls with six boundaries before he was bowled by Samiullah Shinwari, leaving the team total at 88 for 4 in 24.3 overs.
Number five batsman Nasir Hossain, pairing with Naeem Islam, made a good partnership scoring 73 runs in 14.3 overs in the 5th wicket stand.
Nasir scored 41 runs off 60 balls with a four and a six before he was caught by Samiullah Shinwari off a Mirwais Ashraf delivery while number six Naeem Islam made 35 runs off 51 balls with two boundaries.
Lower order Ziaur Rahman quick-fired 41 runs off just 22 balls featuring four boundaries and three over boundaries while tail-ender Rubel Hossain 17 runs off 91 ball hitting two boundaries, but failed to escape the defeat.
Mohammad Nabi grabbed three wickets for 44 runs, Hamid Hassan and Shapoor Zardan took two wickets giving away 26 and 39 runs respectively.
Earlier, newcomers Afghanistan scored a fighting total of 254 for 6 in 50 overs against hosts Bangladesh.
Sent in to bat first, Afghanistan faced an initial batting collapse losing five top wickets including captain — Mohammad Sehzad (2), Karim Sadiq (12), Najibullha Zadran (21), Nawroz Mangal (24) and captain Mohammad Nabi (7)–for 90 runs in 26.5 overs.
When Bangladeshi spinners were busy dismissing their new South Asian rival cheaply closing all escape doors, then Afghanistan once again displayed their spirit and character.
In the 6th wicket stand, Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari contributed 164 runs off 138 balls to carry the Afghan total from 90 for 5 to strong 254 runs in 49.5 astonishing the home crown. Finally, Afghanistan folded their innings at 254 for 6 in 50 over as no run was added in last ball.
The two batsmen went through a careful rebuilding phase till the 40th over, before exploding in the last 10 to amass 107 runs – easily their best performance in the final overs before the stand was broken as Shinwari was run out for 81 off 69 balls with 10 fours and one six in the 2nd last ball of the innings.
Later, Samiullah Shenwari was adjudged man of the match.
Number five Asghar Stanikzai contributed the team highest and an unconquered 90 runs off 103 balls featuring six fours and three sixes.
Arafat Sunny grabbed two wickets for 44 runs while Mominul Haque and Rubel Hossain took one wicket each conceding 38 and 61 runs respectively.
Source: UNBConnect
