At the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala today, Mehidy Hasan Miraz put on an outstanding all-around performance, and captain Shakib Al Hasan was instrumental with the ball as Bangladesh began their World Cup campaign with a convincing six-wicket victory over Afghanistan.
In 37.2 overs, Shakib (3-30) and off spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3-25) combined for six wickets to dismiss Afghanistan for 156.
Miraz added 57 to his three wickets, while Najmul Hossain Shanto continued his hot streak with a 59-run stand as Bangladesh cruised to victory in just 34.4 overs, totaling 158-4.
Shanto, the new captain of Bangladesh’s batting, aptly smashed two straight boundaries to formally declare victory.
After Bangladesh was reduced to 27-2, Miraz and Shanto had a 97-run third wicket stand to move their team closer to the victory.
Fazal Haq Farooqi clean bowled Liton Das (13) while Tanzid Hasan Tamim got stranded run out for 5.
Afghanistan had some hope after the two dismissals came quickly after each other, but that hope was dashed by Shanto and Miraz’s alliance.
However, Afghanistan also played a role in their own demise, saving Miraz twice. On 16 and 23, Miraz provided two simple opportunities, but the Afghan fielders couldn’t hold onto the ball.
Miraz was finally dismissed shortly after reaching his third fifty off of 58 balls when Rahman Shah pulled off a stunning catch at mid-off off the bowling of Naveen-ul-Haque. For his 57 off 73, he hit five boundaries.
Shanto’s innings was virtually hopeless, but Shakib Al Hasan was also lost for Bangladesh after taking one too many shots against Azmatullah Omarzai. But it didn’t cost much because Bangladesh easily sped to victory.
Shanto hit three fours and a six off the 83 balls he needed to get his undefeated 59. Mushfiqur Rahim wasn’t out on two with him.
The Bangladeshi pacers contributed significantly to the victory as well, with Shoriful Islam taking 3-34, Taskin Ahmed taking one, and Mustafizur Rahman taking one each.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan’s opener, led the team in scoring with 47. Azmatullah Omarzai and Ibrahim Zadran both scored 22 runs.
Gurbaz and Ibrahim from Afghanistan, who were given the opportunity to bat first, treated the Bangladeshi pacers with contempt and made a strong start.
Shakib made the vital breakthrough by dismissing Ibrahim with a slower delivery as they appeared to be in trouble.
The skipper then stifled the batting with tight line and length and rewarded with the wicket of Rahmat Shah (18).
Miraz appeared in the stage to further trouble Afghanistan batters. He removed Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (18), caught at mid-on.
But the big blow came in the next over when Mustafizur Rahman had Gurbaz caught by Tanzid Hasan Tamim at deep square leg, leaving the Afghanistan at 112-4.
Afghanistan then lost the rest of the six wickets for only 44 runs with Shakib and Miraz slicing the middle order in a gem of spin bowling.
The pacers then cleaned up the tail to give Bangladesh batters an easy target to chase.
Bangladesh face off England at the same venue on October 10.
