A superb bowling display by the bowlers enabled Bangladesh to take 1-0 lead in the Rocket three-match ODI series beating visiting Afghanistan by exciting seven runs win in the first ODI held on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.
Chasing a winning target of 266 runs set by Bangladesh, Afghanistan fell shot as they were all out for 258 runs from their allotted 50 overs, despite a sensible bating display by Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza gave his side the first breakthrough in the seventh over when he sent back Mohammad Shahzad (31) to pavilion against the run of play, reports BSS. Afghanistan lost their second wicket in the 8th over, as Shakib equaled Abdur Razzak’s record for most ODI wickets (207) for Bangladesh. Shabir Noori was sent back to the pavilion after he made nine from 24.
Then Hashmatullah Shahidi (72) and Rahmat Shah (71) took the responsibility to stop the rot contributing 144 runs partnership for the third wicket stand. Both the Afghanistan batsmen batted sensibly, and were looking to build a platform to chase down 266 runs target, but Shakib again struck on Afghanistan innings brought his in contest removing Rahmat Shah who gave a back catch to wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim.
However Mohammad Nabi offered some resistance for Afghanistan with a quick fire 30 runs off 24 balls but Taskin sent him to the pavilion at the right moment to bring Bangladesh back in match. Nabi smashed three boundaries during his 24-ball stay on the crease.
Taskin Ahmed, who backed in international cricket from suspension, made his return memorable as he grabbed four wickets conceding 59 runs. He was well supported by Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza both took two wickets each conceding 26 and 42 runs respectively.
Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh was named the player of the match for his impressive bowling performance. The ace allrounder became the only man in world cricket to be his country’s most successful bowler in all three formats of the game when he crossed Abdur Razzak’s 206 wickets in one-day international during the match.
Earlier, a brilliant batting display by opener Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah steered Bangladesh to scored 265 for all from their allotted 50 overs against Afghanistan, after Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza decided to bat first.
The local side were off to a precarious start with the willow as explosive opener Soumya Sarkar back to the pavilion without disturbing the score board. Dawlat Zadran picked up the first wicket as Bangladesh were off to a disappointing start.
Another opener Tamim Iqbal carried on from one end while he added a 83-run stand with Imrul Kayes for the second wicket and got his fifty but later he backed to the pavilion for 80 off 98 balls. Mahmudullah’s fifteen half-century and Shakib Al Hasan’s 48 helped Bangladesh to get a competitive total.
The home side never got off to a blazing start but one batsman or the other stood their end to bail the team out. All rounder Shakib scored a valiant 48 off 40 balls during the death overs and enabled his side to get past 250-run mark. Sabbir Rehman, Sarkar and wicketkeeper-batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim could not contribute for their side.
For Afghanistan, it was yet again Mohammad Nabi who again held a tight line with the white ball. He was well supported by Rashid Khan who finished with figures of 10-0-37-2. Naveen-ul-Haq and Zadran were a tad bit expensive but were not supported by Afghanistan’s lackluster fielding as they dropped many chances on the field.
From being 196 for 3, Bangladesh had fair chance of scoring a massive total on the board. With as many as seven wickets in hand, Bangladesh must have thought of getting past the 275-run mark or must have even thought of itching close to 300. However, a discipline bowling display by Afghanistan did not allow the hosts to get off guard.
The second ODI between the two sides will be held on Wednesday (September 28) at the same venue.
