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Shawon Gazi’s 6/10 guides Bangladesh to 4-wicket win vs Afghanistan in Under-19 Tri-series match

Bangladesh are behind India with five points from two games.

While Bangladesh are 2nd on table, Afghanistan are yet to win after 2 matches © Getty Images (Representational Image)
While Bangladesh are 2nd on table, Afghanistan are yet to win after 2 matches © Getty Images (Representational Image)

Kolkata: Bangladesh left-arm spinner Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi returned stunning figures of six for ten to guide his side to a four-wicket win over Afghanistan in an Under-19 Tri-series one-day cricket match here today. Electing to bat, Afghanistan got off to a steady start with opener Hazratullah (32) and skipper Ihsanullah (14) but introduction of spin in the sixth over triggered the collapse as none of the other batsman could reach double-digit and they were skittled out for 85. Bangladesh overcame some early hiccup to cruise to the paltry target in 34.4 overs and secure a bonus point. They are second behind India (9 points) with five points from two matches, while Afghanistan are yet to open their account. READ: India Under-19 bowler Avesh Khan’s 4-for powers hosts to 82-run win vs Bangladesh

Earlier, Bangladeshi skipper Mehedi Hasan (2 for 19) took two wickets in two overs with his slow off-spin before the ‘Muttiah Muralitharan fan’ Gazi ran down the Afghan line-up with figures of 7.4-2-10-6, his career best. The Barisal youngster bowled Ihsanullah with a sharp turner as the Afghan skipper had no clue.

“That was the best of the six. I can get turn from even out and out flat wickets,” Gazi, who idolises the Sri Lankan spin wizard Muralitharan, told PTI.

Asked whether he’s influenced by their great leftarm spinner Shakib al Hasan, he said: “Of course, I’m a big fan of his but I’ve not got a chance to interact with him yet.” Gazi further clarified that he is not related to Bangladeshi offspinner Sohag Gazi who incidentally is his neighbour in Barisal. Afghan batsmen were literally clueless to Gazi’s sharp incoming deliveries. READ: India U-19 cricketers surprised with Afghanistan’s brilliant gameplay

“Previously I had a five-wicket haul against South Africa, but never six wickets. It’s a greet feeling and also a relief to back on winning track,” Gazi, who plays for Patuakhali District, said. Commuting from Barisal to Dhaka is an arduous journey as one has to go via passenger ship and sometime it takes about 24 hours, Gazi said.  “The focus is now on the World Cup in our country maybe after that I will shift to the capital.”

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan Under-19: 85 all out (Hazratullah 32; Saleh Ahmed Shawon 6 for 10, Mehedi Hasan 2 for 19) lost to Bangladesh Under-19 89 for 6; 34.4 overs (Saif Hassan 32; Zia-ur-Rehman 2 for 20, Karim Janat 2 for 23).

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