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Home » Live Cricket Score » Asia Cup, 2018 » Summary

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Live Cricket Score, Match 6, Asia Cup, 2018, September 20, 2018

AFG 255/7 (50)
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 136 runs
BAN 119/10 (42.1)
Match over
Commentary :
0.0 : Hello and welcome all to the 6th and final match of the group stage between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. A dead rubber on paper? Or a chance to get the all important winning momentum and march ahead into the tournament? Both teams, including their fans, will dearly want to win and have a clear edge heading into the eliminator. One thing we are sure to witness is a hard fought battle between two super passionate and skillful teams. So, who will have the last laugh at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dh
TOSS - Afghanistan win the toss and elect to bat.
Afghanistan captain, Asghar Afghan says that the pitch looks good for batting. Adds further that the little bit of grass cover on the surface will help the the ball to come onto the bat. States that they will look to put up a score of above 250 on the board and then put pressure on the Bangladesh batting line-up. Informs that Samiullah Shenwari comes in for Najibullah Zadran. Ends by saying that they are looking forward to today's match and want to play some good cricket.
Bangladesh captain, Mashrafe Mortaza says that he also wanted to bat. Adds that he does not mind chasing as the pitch looks a good one to bat. He reckons the little bit of grass cover on it will not let it break as the match progresses. Mentions that they are without Tamim Iqbal (injured) and have rested Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman. Informs that Abu Hider and Nazmul Hossain make their debuts. He forgets the third replacement but later out we found out that it is Mominul Haque Ends by s
Both teams are out for their respective national anthems.
Done and dusted with the national anthems and now the players make their way out to the middle. Ihsanullah and Mohammad Shahzad are the openers. The latter will be on strike and he will be facing Rubel Hossain who will bowl with the first new ball. Here we go...
0.1 : R Hossain to M Shahzad, Right on the money is Rubel as he lands this fractionally short of a good length. Kept out on the back foot by Shehzad.
0.2 : R Hossain to M Shahzad, Bangs it in this time angling into the batsman. Shehzad looks to pull but gets cramped. The ball hits his arm and drops down onto the ground.
0.3 : R Hossain to M Shahzad, The attacking opener has stood up on his toes to play that one.
0.4 : R Hossain to M Shahzad, Punched off the back foot into the covers. Good start this by Rubel.
0.5 : R Hossain to M Shahzad, A bit short of good length on middle, punched to mid on. Five dots to start.
0.6 : R Hossain to M Shahzad, No maiden as Shehzad works this shortish ball on his body down the leg side. They manage to come back for the second.
Abu Hider to share the attack.
1.1 : Abu Hider to Ihsanullah, Good start by the debutant. Keeps it on a length around middle and off. Ihsanullah flicks it away with a wristy shot to mid-wicket.
1.2 : Abu Hider to Ihsanullah, FOUR! Cracker! That's the first boundary there for Afghanistan and a good one at that too. Hider keeps it a bit short and wide of off. Ihsanullah goes back and across and cuts this fiercely through the gap through covers for a smashing boundary and a cracking start for the opener.
1.3 : Abu Hider to Ihsanullah, FOUR! One bring two, boundaries this time. Hider overcompensates and strays this length ball on his legs, Ihsanullah flicks this uppishly through the mid-wicket region and the timing takes the ball racing through to the boundary.
1.4 : Abu Hider to Ihsanullah, OUT! Smashed but a sharp catch at cover-point. Hider gets lucky this time as he dishes out a short of a length delivery outside off. It was here to be cut and Ihsanullah does exactly that. Connects well too but the placement is poor as the ball flies at waist height to point where Mohammad Mithun takes a good catch. The ball was not too far away from him but boy was it traveling! Bangladesh strike early. Can they makes further inroads?
Rahmat Shah walks into bat in his 50th game.
1.5 : Abu Hider to R Shah, A length ball on middle and off is worked away nicely by Rahmat into the square leg region to get off the mark.
1.6 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Square cuts, but straight to point to end the over.
2.1 : R Hossain to R Shah, On a length and around off, Shah, off the back foot, keeps it out.
2.2 : R Hossain to R Shah, Goes a touch fuller this time, no swing on offer though. Shah strokes it to mid off.
2.3 : R Hossain to R Shah, BEATEN! Movement for the bowler and it almost took the edge. On a length around off, it shapes away just a touch. Rahmat goes after it with a loose shot but gets beaten.
2.4 : R Hossain to R Shah, Back of a length around off, Shah pushes it to covers.
2.5 : R Hossain to R Shah, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
2.6 : R Hossain to R Shah, A brace to end the over! On the shorter side and Shah pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple.
3.1 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Streaky! But Shehzad will take it with both hands. is a bit short of good length outside off. Shehzad, seeing the width on it, flashes hard but gets a thick outside edge through the vacant second slip cordon for the ball to race through fine of the fielder at third man for a boundary.
3.2 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
3.3 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Keeps this a bit starihter on the stumps angling in, Shahzad has played it fine down the leg side. They manage to come back for the second.
3.4 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
3.5 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Good come by Hider after the early boundary. He lands this on a length outside off and gets the ball to move away a bit. The movement beats the tentative push of Shahzad.
3.6 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Fuller length delivery around off, the opener drives the ball straight down the ground.
4.1 : R Hossain to R Shah, A shortish ball around off is punched to covers.
4.2 : R Hossain to R Shah, Fuller in length on the same line, driven straight to the fielder at covers.
4.3 : R Hossain to R Shah, FOUR! Smashed! Nice start for Rahmat as he rocks back and across to this short delivery on off, pulls it handsomely through mid-wicket to get his first boundary. Up and running is Shah. Looks like he has started from where he left off the other day.
4.4 : R Hossain to R Shah, The batsman has driven it through mid-off.
4.5 : R Hossain to R Shah, Nicely driven, getting low and driven through the line, timing is enough to get the batsman a comfortable three.
4.6 : R Hossain to M Shahzad, Pulled again through mid-wicket but not timed that well. Shahzad gets in position very early as he sees it a bit short but the ball does not connect as well. Seems as if it hits near the bottom of the bat and hence the batsman only get a brace.
5.1 : Abu Hider to R Shah, Shah drives the ball straight down the ground.
5.2 : Abu Hider to R Shah, Bumper! Well bowled, good change in length. Shah tries to pull but does not get the middle of the bat as the ball goes straight to mid on. No Run there.
5.3 : Abu Hider to R Shah, Short again, goes for the pull again but fails to make connection. Hider had rolled his fingers over the ball and the lack of pace beats Shah.
5.4 : Abu Hider to R Shah, Fuller on off, driven straight to mid on.
5.5 : Abu Hider to R Shah, OUT! Bowled'em! What a peach from the debutant. He must have dreamt about this many times and his hard hard is paying off now. Dished it on a length outside off, it is angling in to Shah as he comes forward tentatively looking to drive at the ball. The ball comes in on landing and goes through the gap between the bat and pad and the timber behind is disturbed. Hider is over the moon as he gets his second. fantastic start for the Tigers.
Hashmatullah Shahidi is the new batsman.
5.6 : Abu Hider to H Shahidi, Played to the point region by the batsman.
Mehidy Hasan comes into the attack.
6.1 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Tossed up on off to start off the spell, Shahzad drives softly to mid on.
6.2 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Shahzad goes down to weep this fuller length delivery, gets decent connection but straight to square leg.
6.3 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Fuller ball on the stumps, Shahzad leans across and works this into mid-wicket to take a single.
6.4 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Shahidi has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
6.5 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Good stuff by Hasan as he keeps it in the corridor around off. Shahidi comes forward and blocks out.
6.6 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Fuller and straighter this by Hasan. Driven to the left on mid on to get a quick single and retain strike.
7.1 : Abu Hider to H Shahidi, Full and attacking the wickets, Shahidi drives crisply to mid off.
7.2 : Abu Hider to H Shahidi, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
7.3 : Abu Hider to H Shahidi, Driven through mid off by the batsman.
7.4 : Abu Hider to H Shahidi, A bit shorter of a length around off, is punched into the cover region. Good bowling this Abu Hider. He is impressing everyone on his debut.
7.5 : Abu Hider to H Shahidi, Bumper! Shahidi pulls this by getting back quickly but does not getting the desired connection. The fielder at square leg does well to chase it down and quickly throw the ball towards the strikers end. The batsmen have started their third run, which looks very tight. It is a relay throw and the fielder cutting in between catches it and has a shy at the striker's end. Replays show that Shahzad was just short of his ground and would have been a gonner if it would have
7.6 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Short again, pulled through mid-wicket but just a single.
8.1 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Tossed up, driven to mid on.
8.2 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Slower and fuller on off, drives it straight to covers.
8.3 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Hasan keeps it a bit straighter and starys on the pas of the batsman, Shahzad flicks it through mid-wicket to get a single.
8.4 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
8.5 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
8.6 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, keeps it full on the stumps, Shahidi leans forward and drives to the left of mid off to run through for a quick single.
9.1 : Abu Hider to H Shahidi, Hider starts with a length ball outside off. Shahidi, looking to play at it, pushes at it but misses.
9.2 : Abu Hider to H Shahidi, Drives this fuller delivery through to mid off to get an easy single.
9.3 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, A bit short this on off, Shahzad tries to punch it through the covers but does not find the gap.
9.4 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Fuller in length, driven through mid-on by the batsman.
9.5 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, Fuller around off, driven to mid-wicket. No run on offer.
9.6 : Abu Hider to M Shahzad, A good length ball around off, Shahzad drives nicely on the up but finds the fielder at mid on.
Powerplay two has been signalled. Maximum of four fielders are now allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the 40th over.
10.1 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Tossed up around off, a bit of drift into the batsman. Shahidi comes forward and drives to mid on.
10.2 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, The batsman has driven it through mid-on.
10.3 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, A bit flatter and straighter by Mehidy, Shahidi turns it down into the leg side but no run to be had there.
10.4 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, A bit slower in the air around off, the left-hander has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
10.5 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Hasan showing his class as he is changing his pace almost every delivery. Not letting the batsmen to line him up. Tossed this slower around off again. The southpaw drives crisply but straight to mid off again.
10.6 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, This time he gets a run and retains strike as he drives this a bit to the left of mid off to take a quick single.
Mashrafe Mortaza is into the attack.
11.1 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Slightly shorter in length outside off, the batsman guides it down to third man for a run.
11.2 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, The batsman has driven it straight down the ground.
11.3 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, Hits the length again around off, Shahzad opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for a single.
11.4 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Shortish and outside off, Shahidi plays it towards point.
11.5 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Again only a single! Boundaries are very hard to come by at the moment. Shahidi guides it down towards third man and gets to the other end.
11.6 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, A couple to finish! On the shorter side on middle, Shahzad punches it down towards long on for a brace.
12.1 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Tossed up on off from around the wicket. Driven back to the bowler.
12.2 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Slower and full on off, Shahidi leans across and drives through covers. Looks to take a quick single and takes off but is sent back by Shahzad in time. He returns back to his crease safely.
12.3 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, A bit shorter and wide of off, Shahidi goes back and cuts this to the fielder at point. He must be thinking, where are the gaps?
12.4 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Flicks this fuller ball on his pads through mid-wicket to change strike.
12.5 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, The batsman has driven it through mid-off.
12.6 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Tossed up around off, the southpaw drives this back to Hasan. Nice end to a tight over by Hasan.
13.1 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Lands this on a good length, angling in from around the wicket. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
13.2 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Dishes this a bit straighter angling in, Shahidi leans across and works this through mid-wicket.
13.3 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, A bit fuller on middle is turned into the square leg region.
13.4 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Mortaza keeps this fractional shorter of good length shaping into the batsman. Shahidi mistimes the pull through mid-wicket and gets a run.
13.5 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, A short of length delivery has been cut away through square on the off side by Shahzad. One run added to the total.
13.6 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Nicely steered into the third man region to take a single and retain strike.
14.1 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, FOUR! Four of the first ball of the over. A boundary after nine overs, an indication of how disciplined have the Tigers been. He bowls this a bit short and Shahidi seeing the rare bad ball, rocks back and pulls it handsomely over the mid-wicket region for a confidence boosting boundary.
14.2 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Tossed up around off, eased through mid off for an easy single.
14.3 : M Hasan to M Shahzad Slower as Hasan gives this a bit more air, Shahzad drives this softly to mid on.
14.4 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Quickly rocks back and punches hard through the covers and crosses over for a single.
14.5 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Hasan not giving anything for the batsman as he keeps it just a bit shorter of full length around off, the elegant southpaw pushes this off the front foot towards mid off and steals a single.
14.6 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, The batsman has driven that ball straight back to end a good comeback over by the offie after getting hit for a boundary on the very first ball.
15.1 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, On a length around off, the batsman guides it to point.
15.2 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Direct hit needed... but the fielder misses! Mortaza bowls the slower one on off, Shahidi tries to work it on the leg side but closes the face of the bat a touch early. He gets a leading edge towards covers. The batsmen go for the run, the fielder picks the ball up and has a shy but misses. Would have been touch and go.
15.3 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, Fuller in length on off, Shahzad strokes it to mid off.
15.4 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, FOUR! So runs have no started to come here for Afghanistan! This is a solid punch by Shahzad. It is shorter on middle, MS, off the back foot, punches it past the bowler and the ball races away to the fence.
15.5 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, The short of length delivery has been cut away through square on the off side.
15.6 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, A single to end another good over for Afghanistan. Shahzad gets an outside edge down to third man for a single.
16.1 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, On the stumps, Shahzad pushes it to mid-wicket.
16.2 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Flatter and on middle, Shahzad goes back and tries to cut but chops it to covers for a single. Too close for that shot to be played.
16.3 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Fires this on middle, Shahidi pushes it to covers.
16.4 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, A lot of excitement by the bowler there but it has been cut short by the umpire. Shahidi steps down the track and Hasan bowls the arm ball. He misses the drive and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards short third man and the batsmen take a run. The impact was outside off.
16.5 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, On the shorter side but quicker. Shahzad punches it down the ground to long on and changes ends.
16.6 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Floats it up on off, Shahidi blocks it out.
Drinks. A good start by Bangladesh and their bowlers are not letting the Afghan batsmen get away. Afghanistan will hope that the current pair of their attacking keeper-batsman and the elgant southpaw, Shahzad and Shahidi, will extend this unbeaten 35 run stand further and take their team onto safer shores. The tigers will look to break this partnership as soon as possible and make further penetrations into the Afghanistan batting line up.
17.1 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, Short of a length again on middle, the batsman pushes it down to long on for a run.
17.2 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Gives the bowler the charge but Mashrafe shortens his length, it is driven back to the bowler.
17.3 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Angles this into the batsman, Shahidi pushes it back to the bowler.
17.4 : M Mortaza to H Shahidi, Outstanding work there by Mashrafe but he just could not get the direct hit! Shahzad was no where near to making it in. This is on a length and around middle, Shahidi pushes it towards the left of the bowler. Mashrafe, not known for his agility, dives full length to his left, stops the ball and then has a shy at his end but misses. The batsmen take an overthrow. Another missed opportunity of getting Shahzad out. He is living a charmed life out there. He would want t
17.5 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, JUST OVER! Shahzad says, enough o f blocking it out. He dances down the track and tries to slap it. But the ball goes off the splice over covers and the batsmen take two.
17.6 : M Mortaza to M Shahzad, FOUR! Take that! That is right off the middle. This is on a length around middle, Shahzad goes back and pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a boundary. The opener now seems to have decided to stop on the gas. Intent could be seen on the last two balls faced by him.
18.1 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Floats it up on off, HS drives it towards covers.
18.2 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, BEATEN! Seeing the line of the delivery is outside off, Shahidi goes for the sweep but is beaten by the low bounce.
18.3 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Another loopy ball, the batter keeps it out.
18.4 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total.
18.5 : M Hasan to M Shahzad, Shahzad is surely going for it! He makes room and Hasan fires it full. He only manages to hit it down to long off for a run.
18.6 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Flighted ball around off, Shahidi goes back and cuts it through covers to retain strike.
Shakib Al Hasan is into the attack.
19.1 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, With the turn, the batter eases it down to long on for a run.
19.2 : Al Hasan to M Shahzad, FOUR! Hammered! Poor ball and Shahzad pounces on it! This was a half-tracker, a nothing delivery by Shakib. Shahzad had all the time in the world to rock back and pull it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Fifty run stand between the two comes up, a much-needed one but the two need to continue.
19.3 : Al Hasan to M Shahzad, OUT! Just as I write they need to continue, Shahzad has thrown it away. One shot too many by the opener. He was going hard but having got a boundary on the last ball, this was not needed. Trying to be greedy. But credit to the fielder for taking an excellent catch. Any guesses who it is? Abu Hider, impressed with the ball earlier and now making no mistakes in the field. He can't do anything wrong until now. MS uses his feet and tries to clear the long on fence. He do
Asghar Afghan is the new man in.
19.4 : Al Hasan to A Afghan, Floats it up on middle, Afghan keeps it out.
19.5 : Al Hasan to A Afghan, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.
19.6 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Loopy ball on off, Shahidi strokes it to covers.
20.1 : M Hasan to A Afghan, No run.
20.2 : M Hasan to A Afghan, Dances down the track but is not to the pitch of it. Afghan defends it.
20.3 : M Hasan to A Afghan, Floats it up on off, Afghan keeps it out.
20.4 : M Hasan to A Afghan, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
20.5 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, Bowls it on off, HS works it to mid-wicket.
20.6 : M Hasan to H Shahidi, This is eased through mid on for a run.
21.1 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, The experienced all-rounder starts the new over with a tossed up ball on middle. Batsman comes forward and keeps it out.
21.2 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Flatter and around off is punched through to long on. The fielder there fumbles but the batsmen were just not looking for a brace, cannot take advantage of the mistake.
21.3 : Al Hasan to A Afghan, Afghan flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
21.4 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Tossed up, comes forward and blocks.
21.5 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, A shorter one outside the leg stump. Shahidi waits for it to arrive, goes down and tries to half pull half sweep this into the leg side. The ball gets the inner half of the bat and rolls down fine on the leg side. The fielder at short fine leg chases at cuts it off. The pair run a brace.
21.6 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, A very short ball outside off, had to be punished but Shahidi, may be, looking to hit it too hard has missed.
Well, Mehidy was all set to bowl but Mortaza says I want a chance and he gets on Mosaddek Hossain.
22.1 : M Hossain to A Afghan, Loopy ball on the pads, Asghar works it through square leg for a run.
22.2 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, Fires it on off, the batsman pushes it to covers.
22.3 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, Full on off, Shahidi pushes it to the bowler.
22.4 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, HOWZZAT? But not given! Interestingly no review also. Why interestingly, because the appeal was a very confident one. It was quicker and shorter outside off, Shahidi goes for the cut but misses. The keeper and the bowler put out a loud appeal but not given.
22.5 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, This is in the slot, full and outside off, the batsman only strokes it to sweeper cover for a run.
22.6 : M Hossain to A Afghan, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
23.1 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Loopy ball outside off, the batsman eases it down to long on for a run.
23.2 : Al Hasan to A Afghan, Gives this a lot of air, AA strokes it to long off for a single.
23.3 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Fires it on the pads, Shahidi flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
23.4 : Al Hasan to A Afghan, Dances down the track but does not get to the pitch of it. Afghan defends it.
23.5 : Al Hasan to A Afghan, Tickled very fine and down the leg side, the batsmen run two. That was nicely played, he moved outside off, to make that shot possible.
23.6 : Al Hasan to A Afghan, On off, kept out.
24.1 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, Darts it on off, Shahidi guides it to point.
24.2 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, FOUR BYES! Poor by the keeper there! Mosaddek tosses this up on off, Shahidi tries to force it through the off side but misses. The keeper also does not collect it and the ball races to the third man fence.
24.3 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, This time he connects through the covers for a run.
24.4 : M Hossain to A Afghan, With the turn it is worked towards mid-wicket.
24.5 : M Hossain to A Afghan, The similar shot he played on the last ball but this time he finds the gap at mid-wicket and takes a run.
24.6 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, Slightly short on middle, Shahidi goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a brace. 8 runs in the over, a good one for Afghanistan.
25.1 : Al Hasan to A Afghan, OUT! TIMBER! That has gone just through him! Shakib gets his second and once again in this tournament, the Afghan skipper goes for a low score. He uses his feet like he has been doing till now but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. It is the straighter delivery by the bowler, it also drifts into the batter. Afghan tries to force it through the off side, leaving a big gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and hits the off pole. A calm celebration by Shak
0.0 : Samiullah Shenwari strides out to the middle.
25.2 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, Gets off the mark straightaway by easing it down to long off for a run.
25.3 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Flatter on middle, Shahidi defends it.
25.4 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, With the turn, the batsman works it through mid-wicket for a run.
25.5 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
25.6 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, The arm ball by Shakib, the batsman defends it.
26.1 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, FOUR! Swept and swept fine! Not seen this shot played a lot today but this has been done really well. Shahidi sits down on one knee and swipes it through square leg. No fielder in the deep and a boundary results.
26.2 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
26.3 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, On the stumps, pushed back to the bowler.
26.4 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, Very full on middle, Shahidi flicks it through mid-wicket. He calls for two but his partner slips and only a run in the end.
26.5 : M Hossain to S Shenwari, On off, the batsman keeps it out.
26.6 : M Hossain to S Shenwari, Shenwari plays the sweep and does it well. There is a fielder in the deep this time so only a run.
27.1 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, A chance but Rubel is a touch slow. Shakib is not happy. The fielder was on his heels there. It is tucked straight towards him at short fine leg. The batsmen go for a run and due to the fielder getting to the ball slowly they complete it.
27.2 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Strokes it down to long on for a run.
27.3 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, Flatter on off, Shenwari pushes it through covers for a run.
27.4 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Flatter and on off, the batsman guides it through point for a run. Good batting by the two, they are continuously looking for the singles and are getting it.
27.5 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, And again! Shenwari flicks it through square leg and takes a run.
27.6 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, A run to end the over as well! Shahidi with soft hands tucks it around the corner for a run.
28.1 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, Good running! Shortish and outside off, the batsman cuts it through point. They run the first one hard, Shahidi wants the second and they go for it and make it easily. The keeper does whip the bails off after collecting the throw but the batsman is in.
0.0 : Shahidi has however, hurt himself after putting in a dive. The physio is out and he is down on the ground. He is now fine and ready to go.
28.2 : M Hossain to H Shahidi, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.
28.3 : M Hossain to S Shenwari, EDGED BUT RUNS! The arm ball outside off, Shenwari plays for the turn but gets an outside edge through short third man for a couple.
28.4 : M Hossain to S Shenwari, BEATEN! Good work by the keeper also. This is full and outside off, Shenwari goes for the drive but is beaten. The keeper collects the ball and whips the bails off in a flash. He appeals but Shenwari never left his crease.
28.5 : M Hossain to S Shenwari, With the turn, works it to mid-wicket.
28.6 : M Hossain to S Shenwari, Strokes it through covers for a run.
29.1 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, The quicker one on middle, Shenwari works it to mid-wicket.
29.2 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, With the angle, Shenwari nudges it to short fine leg for a run.
29.3 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Loopy ball on off, Shahidi drives it towards wide mid off for a single.
29.4 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, Fires it on off, the batsman punches it to covers.
29.5 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, FOUR! Again the sweep shot has been played really well! Shakib bowls it on the pads, Shenwari goes down on one knee quickly and sweeps it through backward square leg and the ball races away.
29.6 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, A full toss but the batsman misses out on it. He only manages to hit it to sweeper cover for a run.
Mominul Haque comes into the attack.
30.1 : M Haque to S Shenwari, Hossain starts with a tossed up ball around off, drives it to short cover.
30.2 : M Haque to S Shenwari, Driven hard through the covers but straight to the fielder there.
30.3 : M Haque to S Shenwari, A slower and fuller ball is driven through the covers by the batsman. They pick up a single.
30.4 : M Haque to H Shahidi, A bit straighter this one which is turned into the square leg region to take a single.
30.5 : M Haque to S Shenwari, Full ball is driven to long off for another run.
30.6 : M Haque to H Shahidi, FOUR! Swept for four. Shahidi looks set for a big one now. He goes down on one knee, looking to sweep the tossed up ball. Connects excellently to find the gap through square leg for a cracking boundary. That is the 3rd fifty for the southpaw. Needs to continue and get a big one for his team.
31.1 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
31.2 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, Shenwari rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball.
31.3 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, The full ball is driven superbly through the covers.
31.4 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
31.5 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, Slower and full on off, driven to covers.
31.6 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, Hasan has bowled a maiden and this increases pressure on Afghanistan. Tossed up around off is kept out.
32.1 : M Haque to H Shahidi, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads into the leg side.
32.2 : M Haque to H Shahidi, Tossed up, driven to mid on.
32.3 : M Haque to H Shahidi, A bit short and it punched to sweeper covers for a single.
32.4 : M Haque to S Shenwari, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. Some good work by the two spinners, keeping it tight.
32.5 : M Haque to S Shenwari, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.
32.6 : M Haque to S Shenwari, A square cut is played to this marginally shorter and quicker one outside off, batsman pick up a brace to end the 33rd over.
33.1 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Tossed up angling into the batsman, flicked into the mid-wicket region to add a run.
33.2 : Al Hasan to S Shenwari, OUT! Timber disturbed! Goes across the line and pays the price. The pressure was building as the soundalikes have dried up and this may be led to a wild slog by Shenwari. He seems the flight on that on and goes across to slog it towards the mid-wicket region looking for a maximum. He was completely done in the flight by Shakib as the ball lands and skids straight through, under the batsman's bat to hit the wooden sticks behind. Shenwari goes back early.
33.3 : Al Hasan to M Nabi, The new batsman, Nabi, drives his first ball to mid off.
33.4 : Al Hasan to M Nabi, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads.
33.5 : Al Hasan to M Nabi, Nabi has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
33.6 : Al Hasan to H Shahidi, Flighted on off, driven to covers.
34.1 : M Haque to M Nabi, Slow and full, stroked to long off for a single.
34.2 : M Haque to H Shahidi, Skips down the track, reaches to the pitch and drives down the ground for another single.
34.3 : M Haque to M Nabi, A bit faster and shorter in length, Nabi rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
34.4 : M Haque to H Shahidi, Haque fires this a bit outside off and shorter in length, Shahidi cuts it towards the point region for a run.
34.5 : M Haque to M Nabi, Slower but shorter again, cut to point but no run this time.
34.6 : M Haque to M Nabi, Haque, sees the width and rocks back, cuts this into the cover-point region to cross over for a single.
Drinks. So, Afghanistan have moved on well but have also lost half their side in the process. They will look to finish strong and get a respectable score on the board. The Tigers, on the other hand, will look to wrap up the Afghan innings as soon as possible. A very interesting massage of play coming up. Stay tuned..
Rubel Hussain comes back.
35.1 : R Hossain to M Nabi, Good start by the Bangladesh captain as he fires this one on a good length around off. Nabi. trying to push at it, gets a thick edge and the balls runs down towards the third man region. The batsmen have come back for a brace.
35.2 : R Hossain to M Nabi, Good ball, keeps it in the corridor around off, Nabi is good enough to keep it out off the front foot.
35.3 : R Hossain to M Nabi, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
35.4 : R Hossain to M Nabi, Mortaza rolls his finger over it and lands it a bit short outside off, Nabi punches it hard but straight to covers.
35.5 : R Hossain to M Nabi, A bit shorter this and wide of off. Nabi looks to cut hard, is not in good position for that shot and misses it to get beaten.
35.6 : R Hossain to M Nabi, Good end to the over by Mortaza as he keeps it tight again and Nabi defends with a straight bat.
Mahmudullah is the new bowler into the attack.
36.1 : Mahmudullah to H Shahidi, Tossed up ball on of to start the spell by the offie, Shahidi lens forward to stroke this towards mid off and run through for an easy single.
36.2 : Mahmudullah to M Nabi, Good flight given by Mahmudullah, seems like he wants to entice the batsman to go for a risky shot. Nabi though, is experienced enough not to get trapped, and he defends it off.
36.3 : Mahmudullah to M Nabi, 1 run.
Mahmudullah to M Nabi, Marginally quicker on the pads, The all-rounder flicks it easily towards square leg to change strike.
36.4 : Mahmudullah to H Shahidi, Tossed up around off, driven to mid off.
36.5 : Mahmudullah to H Shahidi, Mahmudullah seems to have good control for a part time bowler. He keeps it around off and full, the southpaw drives it cleanly through covers for a single to be added.
36.6 : Mahmudullah to M Nabi, Good ball to end the over as he keeps it in line with the stumps, Nabi flicks it into mid-wicket but can't get the single he was looking for.
37.1 : R Hossain to H Shahidi, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The set batsman, Shahidi is walking back. Big blow to Afghanistan. Rubel Hossain strikes. He bowls this on a length and makes good use of the angle as he slants it away from the batsman. Shahidi tries to guide it but the ball skids through, takes the bottom edge and Liton Das takes a good low catch. The players appeal and the umpire obliges. Shahidi walks back in disgust and Bangladesh will now look keep Afghanistan under 200.
0.0 : Gulbadin Naib is the new batsman.
37.2 : R Hossain to G Naib, Back of a length on off, Naib pushes it to point.
37.3 : R Hossain to G Naib, Fuller on off, Naib strokes it to mid off.
37.4 : R Hossain to G Naib, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.
37.5 : R Hossain to G Naib, Fuller again on off, Naib eases it to mid on. 4 dots and a wicket till now. Can this be a maiden?
37.6 : R Hossain to G Naib, Yes, he can! A wicket-maiden. Fuller in length and on off, the batsman drives it to mid on. Excellent by Rubel.
38.1 : Mahmudullah to M Nabi, Tossed up on off, is driven elegantly to mid off.
38.2 : Mahmudullah to M Nabi, Nabi tries to get to the pitch but does not. He checks his drive towards mid on.
38.3 : Mahmudullah to M Nabi, Tossed up around off, Nabi tries to blast it towards long off but gets a leading edge and the ball goes towards long off for a run.
38.4 : Mahmudullah to G Naib, Good flight and full, eased straight to covers.
38.5 : Mahmudullah to G Naib, Keeps it in line with the stumps, Nib gets inside the line and works this to square leg for a run to be added to the total.
38.6 : Mahmudullah to M Nabi, Flighted and full on middle, flicked to square leg by Nabi.
Abu Hider, the debutant, is back into the attack.
39.1 : Abu Hider to G Naib, FOUR! A boundary to welcome the youngster. Putting pressure staight waway to start the over in a ideal manner. Hider fires this full on off. Naib, in attacking mode now, is waiting for it and launches into it as he sees it dishes fuller in length, drives it straight down the ground with a lot of power for the ball to beat the mid off inside the circle and the ball races across the straight boundary for a very timely boundary for Afghanistan.
39.2 : Abu Hider to G Naib, Fuller in length, driven crisply to mid off.
39.3 : Abu Hider to G Naib, Fuller again and driven to mid off again. Good tight line and length bowling by the young left-arm pacer.
39.4 : Abu Hider to G Naib, A bit short angling into the batsman, Naib does well to pull it through the square leg region to get a single.
39.5 : Abu Hider to M Nabi, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
39.6 : Abu Hider to M Nabi, Hider ends well as he keeps this fuller around off, Nabi strokes this into the covers to retain strike.
40.1 : Al Hasan to M Nabi, Shakib varying his pace and flight as he tosses this up around off, Nabi drives it to long off for a single.
40.2 : Al Hasan to G Naib, Gulbadin has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
40.3 : Al Hasan to G Naib, A fuller and straighter ball on the stumps is flicked to mid-wicket by Gulbadin.
40.4 : Al Hasan to G Naib, Similar ball is worked away into the square leg region for a single.
Powerplay 3 has been signalled. A total of 5 fielders are now allowed outside the ring till the end of the innings.
40.5 : Al Hasan to M Nabi, OUT! Pretty much plumb in front. Nabi had decided to go for the sweep before the ball was bowled. He goes down to sweep and may be seeing this the wily left-arm spinner keeps it a bit fuller attacking the stumps. Nabi swipes his bat in full force but misses the ball to get rapped in front. The Tigers go up in unison and the umpire raises his finger to signal the route towards the dressing room to Nabi.
Rashid Khan, the birthday boy, strides out to the middle.
40.6 : Al Hasan to R Khan, Rashid Khan lofts this one over the mid off region but gets only a run as the fielder at the ropes there runs in and throws it back. Rashid in 5th gear, straightaway.
41.1 : Abu Hider to R Khan, A bit shorter of a good length around off, Rashid has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
41.2 : Abu Hider to R Khan, A fuller length delivery but not an half volley. Driven by Rashid to covers but no chance of a run there. Good bowling by the debutant who continues to impress.
41.3 : Abu Hider to R Khan, Bangs this in short, good change of length. That, may be, surprised Rashid Khan as he sees the ball banged in short and goes for the hook but misses the line of the delivery.
41.4 : Abu Hider to R Khan, A bit shorter in length is punched into covers to a single.
41.5 : Abu Hider to G Naib, FOUR.
41.6 : Abu Hider to G Naib, FOUR.
42.1 : Al Hasan to R Khan, Slower through the air on off, Rashid keeps it out. This is what they should do in this over, it is Shakib's last.
42.2 : Al Hasan to R Khan, Smart! Watchfully eases it down towards long off and rotates strike.
42.3 : Al Hasan to G Naib, Once again, happily knocks it towards long off and gets to the other end. They probably want to play this over out.
42.4 : Al Hasan to R Khan, FOUR! Well, Rashid maybe has different ideas. He goes down on one knee and connects the sweep. The ball races through the backward square leg region for a boundary.
42.5 : Al Hasan to R Khan, A stifled appeal but not given! On middle, it is the straighter one. Rashid tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
42.6 : Al Hasan to R Khan, Now Rashid works it with the angle towards square leg to end Shakib's spell with a single. So 7 of Shakib's last over. A bit expensive by his standards today. Nevertheless, he has been brilliant with figures of 10-1-42-4.
Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh skipper, comes into the attack to take matters in his own hands.
43.1 : M Mortaza to R Khan, Mortaza will not give any pace for the batsman to play with, he dishes a slow bouncer around off. Khan pulls it confidently to deep mid-wicket for just a single.
43.2 : M Mortaza to G Naib, Naib does well to wait for that ball to arrive and steers it into the third man region to cross over for a single. They are keeping the score ticking.
43.3 : M Mortaza to R Khan, A bit shorter in length angling into Rashid who turns it into the leg side with the angle but does not find the gap and cannot take his team's total ahead.
43.4 : M Mortaza to R Khan, A bit shorter and marginally outside off, punched well but straight to covers by Khan.
43.5 : M Mortaza to R Khan, Similar ball this but Rashid does well to push it into the gap in covers to take a single and get Gulbadin on strike for the last ball of the over.
43.6 : M Mortaza to G Naib, Naib retains strike as he drives this fuller length ball around off into the mid-wicket region for a single.
Rubel Hossain is back on.
44.1 : R Hossain to G Naib, FOUR! Welcome back into the attack. A boundary of the very first ball which means pressure on the bowler. The slower ball on middle, Naib picks it, waits for it and hits it through mid-wicket. No fielder in the deep and it races away.
44.2 : R Hossain to G Naib, Swings again but this time not the same connection as he got on the last ball. It goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket for a run. Easy Naib, 5 more overs are left after this one, your team needs you out there.
44.3 : R Hossain to R Khan, FOUR! Second in the over! Not convincing but Rashid won't mind at all! A bumper on middle, Rashid goes for the hook without watching the ball, he gets a top edge and the ball races to the fine leg fence. 9 runs already from the over, they can now make this a big one.
44.4 : R Hossain to R Khan, SIX! He has picked the bones out of that one! Uff! What a shot! 15 from it and 2 balls are yet remaining. Another bouncer, Rashid maybe expecting it this time as he pulls it right off the middle and over the square leg fence.
44.5 : R Hossain to R Khan, Does the smart thing now... He pushes it through covers and gets to the other end.
44.6 : R Hossain to G Naib, Naib too shows he is brains and not only power as he eases it down to long off for a run. 17 from the over and this perhaps could be the momentum changing over.
45.1 : M Mortaza to G Naib, Gives the bowler the charge. Mortaza spots it early and bangs it short. Naib fends it out.
45.2 : M Mortaza to G Naib, Using all his experience in use here. He bowls it slower and pitches it just ahead of a length. Naib swings but misses.
45.3 : M Mortaza to G Naib, This time the seam up delivery outside off, Naib again swings but misses. 3 dots so far in this over.
45.4 : M Mortaza to G Naib, A single now as Naib cuts it through point for a run.
45.5 : M Mortaza to R Khan, Good running! This is the slower ball on the pads, Rashid works it towards fine leg and runs two. 200 up now, not sure it looked possible at once stage but now they can add more to it with 4 overs to. Also, the 4th fifty has come of the fewest number of balls.
45.6 : M Mortaza to R Khan, In the air... but safe! A brace more importantly! This is short and on middle, Khan tries to pull but gets a top edge which lands in the vacant mid-wicket area. The batsmen take two.
Abu Hider is back into the attack.
46.1 : Abu Hider to G Naib, A couple to start the over! A full toss outside off, Naib lofts it over the cover fielder, not off the middle but connects well enough to get two.
46.2 : Abu Hider to G Naib, Well bowled! A yorker outside off, you cannot hit that to many places and Naib finds that out as he gets a bottom edge to the keeper.
46.3 : Abu Hider to G Naib, Another full toss outside off, Naib swings, he gets a top edge but due to the long boundaries here, it falls safe in the third man region and a run is taken.
46.4 : Abu Hider to R Khan, WIDE! But to be honest Hider was a touch lucky there! He bowled a slower ball down the leg side. Rashid goes for the sweep and had he connected, it would have been a boundary as the fine leg was in. He does not and the umpire signals it as a wide.
Abu Hider to R Khan, Another delivery he has gotten away with. A high full toss outside off. Khan swings but misses. The keeper fumbles and concedes a bye.
46.5 : Abu Hider to G Naib, Lovely over this is till now! Another yorker outside off, Naib fails to jam it out. Needs to finish it well.
46.6 : Abu Hider to G Naib, FOUR! But can't. The last ball spoils the over! Top shot by Naib. He walks right across and Hider bowls a yorker. Naib, at the very last moment, gets his bat down and flicks it through square leg for a boundary. The 50-run stand is up and it has come up in quick time, in 37 balls. The momentum changing partnership you can say.
47.1 : M Mortaza to R Khan, Mashrafe comes from around the wicket and bowls the yorker on middle, Rashid jams it down to long on for a run.
47.2 : M Mortaza to G Naib, Brilliant again! He bowls it full and also follows the batsman as he makes room. Naib mistimes it towards mid on and some good running helps them get two.
47.3 : M Mortaza to G Naib, Two again! On a length around middle, Naib once again gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket and gets two.
47.4 : M Mortaza to G Naib, A low full toss, GN tries to go over covers but does not get the timing right. Only a single results.
47.5 : M Mortaza to R Khan, FOUR! And to add to that Mortaza has overstepped. What a shot! Picked his spot to perfection there did Rashid Khan! He comes down the track and takes it on the full. Lofts it over mid off and bags a boundary. Free Hit coming up.
M Mortaza to R Khan, A couple of the Free Hit! Another full toss, Khan this time flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and the batsmen take two. 13 from the over so far, can they make this a 17-run over or a 19-run over?
47.6 : M Mortaza to R Khan, FOUR! Yes, they have. 17 from the over and this boundary is the best of boundaries Rashid has scored today. The slower ball on middle, Khan makes room and slaps it over the cover fielder and the ball races away. RK moves onto 36 in no time.
48.1 : Abu Hider to G Naib, Rsiky single... but safe! Naib goes for the paddle but gets a bottom edge beside the pitch. Rashid calls for a run. Hider runs towards the ball but fails to pick it up. One run added to the total.
48.2 : Abu Hider to R Khan, Yorker again! This is very impressive stuff from the debutant. Rashid can only jam it out towards the leg side for a run.
48.3 : Abu Hider to G Naib, Naib now walks ahead to counter the yorker. He takes it on the full but mistimes it towards mid-wicket. A brace taken.
48.4 : Abu Hider to G Naib, Another full toss but Naib now seems to have run out of gas. He is unable to find the middle as he mistimes it again towards mid off for a run.
48.5 : Abu Hider to R Khan, Swing and a miss! Outside off, Rashid swings but only connects with thin air. Just 5 from the over so far. The last ball of his last over spoiled it. Can he finish well this time?
48.6 : Abu Hider to R Khan, Great game awareness from the birthday man! Wow... this is simply superb. It was another full toss on middle and Rashid flicked it over square leg. The deep mid-wicket fielder ran to his right and pushes the ball in at the very last moment. Now, here is where the drama begins. While completing the second run, Rashid loses his bat. But he does not cheat. He goes back and drags his left foot inside the crease. Now see the greediness of the birthday boy. He wants the cake
49.1 : M Mortaza to G Naib, Mashrafe starts the final over by landing an off cutter on a good length just outside off, Naib waits for the ball nicely and swats it through mid-wicket but to the fielder placed at the boundary line there. They take a single.
49.2 : M Mortaza to R Khan, FOUR! Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan star, doing exactly what his team requires off him. Mortaza dishes in a off cutter a bit short in length and angling into the batsman. Rashid hammers the pull over square leg to bisect the fielders. Rubel rushes across to his left from fine leg, puts in a dive but it falls in front before going past the boundary line.
49.3 : M Mortaza to R Khan, FOUR! Two in two for the birthday boy. He looks in smashing form today. Will surely take this confidence into his bowling as well. He gives the charge and skips down the ground, seeing this the Bangladesh skipper bangs it in and slower in pace. Rashid does well to wait for the ball to arrive, swivels and pulls it behind square for a boundary. It is looking good now for the Afghans as they race ahead. The flamboyant Rashid Khan at it again, with the bat this time.
49.4 : M Mortaza to R Khan, A good yorker by Mortaza but it is dug out well by Rashid. The ball rolls down into the leg side and the fielder at deep square leg runs in to stop it but cannot stop the batsmen from taking a brace.
49.5 : M Mortaza to R Khan, FOUR! Mortaza, seeing the batsman is targeting the leg side, fires this one a bit shorter of good length and wide of off. Rashid Khan is seeing the ball like a football and slashes hard at it. The hard cut flies over the point region and the ball crosses the deep point fence in a jiffy. Third ODI fifty for the swashbuckling all-rounder comes up. What an end to the innings, this!
49.6 : M Mortaza to R Khan, FOUR! Rashid Khan, you beauty! Afghanistan could not have asked for a better finish than this. Rashid, in full attacking mode, charges down the track. Mortaza keeps it on a length and it is an off cutter again. Rashid flat-bats it over the extra cover region and finds the gap to get another boundary in this final over. 19 to finish their innings and Afghanistan set a TARGET OF 256 for Bangladesh.
WOW! What a power-packed performance this by Afghanistan! 97 is the number of runs they've scored in the last 10 overs, courtesy a 95-run stand off just 56 balls between Rashid and Naib. The two walk off to a standing ovation from the crowd and also their teammates. This pair has ensured that Afghanistan have a total which we believe is above par on this surface.
After electing to bat, Afghanistan got off to a poor start. They lost two early wickets. Then, Shahzad and Shahidi steadied the ship with a 51-run stand. But just as Mohammad Shahzad tried to cut loose he departed. Wickets then fell at regular intervals and at the 40th over mark, Bangladesh looked like they would restrict Afghanistan below 200.
Things changed for better for Afghanistan post that. The birthday boy, Rashid Khan had something special in store for us. He came out all guns blazing and scored a magnificent half ton. Naib, too, played his hand and they smoked the bowlers to all parts of the ground.
The Bangladesh bowling started off really well. To be honest, they bowled well throughout but faltered at the death. Shakib and Abu Hider were the standout bowlers with the star all-rounder finishing with a 4-fer and the debutant bagging a 2-fer. Mehidy was very economical and one would wonder why he did not bowl his full quota of overs. Hossain and Mortaza started off well but fell prey to the carnage towards the fag end.
The total is not going to be an easy one to overhaul and with a few of their premier batsmen missing, Bangladesh will need a special knock from one of their main batters, if they are to pull this one off. Afghanistan, on the other hand, defended a similar kind of a total against Sri Lanka and they will back their bowlers to do the job again. Who will win the last game of the group stage? Stay tuned to find out.