The victory for Bangladesh was their first within the match and stored their hopes of qualification for Super Fours alive. After dropping their opener in opposition to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh had been in a must-win scenario and Hasan and Shanto stepped up in grand model to arrange their group’s simple victory.
Promoted to open the innings, Mehidy struck a masterful 112 off 119 balls earlier than retiring damage, whereas Shanto made an outstanding 104 off 105 balls earlier than getting run out in the direction of the fag finish of the innings.
Mehidy and Shanto added a terrific 194 runs off 190 balls for the third wicket earlier than the previous suffered an damage to his hand and needed to go away the sector.
Chasing a steep complete, Ibrahim Zadran (75) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (51) struck half-centuries however with scoreboard strain Afghanistan remained on the backfoot all through, ultimately folding for 245 within the forty fifth over.
As It Happened
Bangladesh bowlers, led by Taskin Ahmed (4/44 in 8.3 overs) and Shoriful Islam (3/36 in 9 overs) struck struck at common intervals, by no means permitting Afghanistan to get forward within the chase.
After the victory, Bangladesh had been in second spot in Group B, whereas Afghanistan must win their ultimate sport in opposition to Sri Lanka for an opportunity to progress within the Super Four stage.
Chasing 335, Afghanistan struggled to keep up the required run fee which stored on growing as Bangladesh bowlers bowled dot balls to constructing strain on their opponents.
Afghanistan didn’t have the very best of begins because the big-hitting Rahmanullah Gurbaz (1) was trapped leg earlier than by Shoriful Islam within the second over.
But Zardan and Rahmat Shah (33) batted intelligently to assist Afghanistan recuperate from the early blow.
They took their aspect from 1/1 to 79/2 however simply after they appeared to make inroads, Taskin bowled a again of size supply and simply as Rahmat tried to slog it, the ball crashed into the highest of off-stump.
At the midway mark, Afghanistan wanted 9 runs per over to win. They tried to up the ante with Zardan hitting Miraz for a 4, adopted by a six over deep midwicket to gather 14 runs from the over.
But the Bangladesh bowlers had been proper on their mark on the evening. Hasan Mahmud (1/61) accounted for the damaging Zardan, which led to a mini batting collapse.
Najibullah Zadran (17), Shahidi, Gulabdin Naib (15), Mohammad Nabi (3) and Karim Janat (1) departed throughout the area of six overs.
Earlier, after an underwhelming batting show of their match opener, the Bangladesh batting unit gave a very good account of itself.
Afghanistan bowlers had been responsible of leaking runs, particularly left-arm medium pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi (0/53 in 6 overs), as skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi struggled to seek out solutions.
Even star spinner Rashid Khan (0/66 in 10 overs) was ineffective as he remained wicketless.
Playing within the scorching warmth, Miraz put up a 60-run opening stand with Mohammad Naim (28) to provide Bangladesh a robust begin.
However, Afghanistan put Bangladesh in a spot of trouble by claiming two wickets in fast succession.
Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1/62 in 10 overs) gave Afghanistan the primary breakthrough as he cleaned up Naim with an ideal googly.
Medium pacer Gulbadin Naib (0/59 in 8 overs) then induced an outdoor edge to ship Towhid Hridoy packing with out opening his account.
Miraz then started the rebuilding act with Shanto. The two stitched a 215-run partnership.
The manner each Shanto and Mehidy batted, it appeared unlikely that any of the Afghan bowlers would have the ability to snare their wickets and that is what precisely occurred.
Miraz retired damage within the forty third over on account of cramps in his left hand.
A number of overs later, Shanto tried a reverse sweep however slipped as he set off to take a run, placing an finish to his spectacular innings.
Despite three run-outs, the Afghan fielding was discovered wanting on a number of events.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan (11 not out) and Shamim Hossain (10) took Bangladesh previous the 300-run mark.
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com