Hosts Bangladesh overcame a slightly shaky start to post 265 against
Afghanistan in the first ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in
Mirpur today after electing to bat first.
Tamim Iqbal top-scored with 80, while Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib Al
Hasan contributed with scores of 62 and 48 respectively before the
hosts were bundled out in 50 overs.
That the Tigers were playing their first ODI after a gap of 10 months
was evident during their rusty start and quiet finish. After scoring
196 for three in 40 overs, they were bundled out for 265.
While Tamim Iqbal stood firm in the first 20 overs, his partners Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes did not look too comfortable.
Afghanistan began well by taking the wicket of Soumya Sarkar in the
fifth ball of the first over. Soumya tried to pull Dawlat Zadran for a
boundary, but only managed to scoop an edge to mid-wicket. This was the
left-hander’s first duck in ODIs.
Imrul joined Tamim and started to build a partnership. It was a good
wicket to bat on and both batsmen were focusing on rotating the strike
aside from hitting the odd boundary.
Imrul, looking to find a permanent place in the eleven, survived a
few close shaves during his 53-ball 37 and did not look too comfortable.
In over number 6.4 he looked to drive a good length delivery over cover
but instead almost got caught at first slip.
An over later, he tried to hit Mohammad Nabi through cover again but
only managed to edge it in the air. Lucky for him, the ball fell right
in front of short cover. The delivery from Nabi had stopped a bit and
Imrul had failed to recognise that.
While Tamim did look good, he too survived a close opportunity when
one of his drives off Mirwais Ashraf went through the point fielder's
hand when the left-hander was on 30.
Eventually, Imrul was bowled by Nabi in the 18th over soon after the
drinks break. He looked to drive a full-length delivery but ended up
missing it completely. The ball hit his pads and then rolled to the
stumps.
Four overs later, Tamim Iqbal reached his half-century with a
beautifully timed cut through short third man. It took him 63 balls and
it was his 33rd half-century.
The innings gained momentum after Mahmudullah Riyad replaced Imrul.
Riyad made a slow start initially, scoring just five off his first 14
balls. However, once Tamim was dismissed in the 36th over for 80, Riyad
unleashed his range of strokes.
Tamim tried to pull Mirwais straight down the ground for a six but
got caught at long-off instead. He ended his 98-ball knock with nine
fours. He seemed to be getting a bit tired
Riyad took over the mantle from there. He began by coming down the
track to Mirwais Ashraf in the 25th over and clean-hitting him straight
down the ground. That was the first six of the day.
He then smacked Dawlat Zadran in the 38th over for 16 runs to reach
his half-century. That over was clearly the highlight of his innings. He
began by pulling Zadran for a four right between long off and
mid-wicket and reached his half-century. In the very next ball, he went
down the track and smacked him for a six down the ground.
At the end of the 38th over Bangladesh were poised at 186 for three
and with a target of 300 in mind, Mahmudullah looked to step up the
gear. As a result of which, he faulted and gave the simplest of chances
to the fielder at short cover. Unfortunately for the bowler, Mohammad
Nabi, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai dropped the easiest of
catches. All he needed to do was bend a little more and hang on to the
loopy catch.
Fortunately for the visitors, Riyad didn’t make them pay. He was
dismissed by Nabi in the 41st over for 62 when he was caught at the
fine-leg boundary while attempting to sweep the spinner for a six. He
finished with two sixes and five fours during the 74-ball knock.
At the end of the 41st over Bangladesh were poised at 201 for 4 and
with two relatively new batsmen, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, at
the crease.
The plan was to score as much as possible in the death overs and it
turned out to be a little difficult with the set players back in the
pavilion.
Mushfiqur was bowled by leg-spinner Rashid Khan for 15 attempting his
favoured slog-sweep. Two overs later, Khan trapped Sabbir Rahman in
front with a googly for two.
The leg-spinner was easily the best bowler of the innings and
finished his 10 overs for two for 37. Shakib scored a 40-ball 48, with
three fours and tried to up the rate, but he too perished in the 48th
over.
Eventually the hosts were bundled out for 265. Bangladesh managed to
post just 69 runs in the last 10 overs and lost seven wickets. The quiet
end was because of some good bowling from the Afghans towards the end.
They never panicked and stuck to their plan of bowling bouncers and
slower deliveries which the Bangladeshi batsmen found difficult to read.
