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Tamim Iqbal’s half-century meanders Bangladesh to 265 against Afghanistan

Bangladesh are Afghanistan are slated to play a three-ODI series and the hosts will be eager to start their new season on a winning note against a team fighting hard to shed their minnows tag from world cricket.

Tamim Iqbal was the top scorer for his side with an 80 off 98 balls © Getty Images
Tamim Iqbal was the top scorer for his side with an 80 off 98 balls © Getty Images

Bangladesh have posted 265 all-out in their quota of 50 overs against Afghanistan in first One-Day International (ODI). Winning the toss, Bangladesh elected to bat. Bangladesh were off to a precarious start with the willow as Soumya Sarkar went without opening his account. Dawlat Zadran picked up the first wicket as Bangladesh were off to a disappointing start. Tamim Iqbal, being the senior pro, carried on from one end while he stitched a 83-run stand with Imrul Kayes for the second wicket and got to his fifty but later on got dismissed for 80 off 98 balls. Mahmudullah’s fifteen half-century and Shakib Al Hasan’s 48 helped their side get to a respectable total.

Bangladesh never got off to a blazing start but one batsman or the other stood their end to bail the team out. 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. They will like to make up for it in the final two ODIs.

From Afghanistan’s side, it was yet again Mohammad Nabi who again held a tight line with the white ball. He was well supported by Rashid Khan who ended 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. ALSO READ: BAN vs AFG LIVE Streaming, 1st ODI: Watch Live telecast & TV Coverage

From being 196 for 3, Bangladesh must have felt they have a good chance of posting a mammoth total on 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 tight bowling performance by the visitors did not allow the hosts to get off guard.

From Afghanistan’s side, the onus will surely be on Mohammad Shahzad. Shehzad is probably Afghanistan’s biggest match winner and will be expected to come all guns blazing in his side’s chase. Another player who has impressed one and all is Rahmat Shah and will have to play a sensible innings if Afghanistan has to take a lead in the series. ALSO READ: BAN vs AFG, 1st ODI: Iqbal achieves 33rd half-century

The middle-order has Samiullah Shenwari and Najibullah Zadran who take the batting further. Nabi, apart from being the most trusted bowler, can also play crucial knocks down the order. Nabi will like to add some runs too if the need arises.

The Bangladeshi bowlers will still feel they have a secured total in hand to defend when they take on the field under lights. Taskin Ahmed has come back to the squad after getting green signal from International Cricket Council (ICC) for his action and will be rearing to go at the Afghanistani batsmen. Bangladesh have three seamers and two spinners in the rank and will be up for the challenge in defending the runs. ALSO READ: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan: Mosaddek Hossain confident of good show

Afghanistan have decent bowlers in their rank and their batsmen are also good enough to chase any score. Nonetheless, their reckless shot playing hurts their bowling efforts from time to time and this will again be tested by Bangladesh’s decent bowling attack.

Bangladesh are unfortunate not to play international cricket since the ICC World Twenty20 (WT20I) 2016. The team did well in Asia Cup 2016 reaching the finals ahead of the WT20I. Their performance have been at its peak in limited-overs. In ICC World Cup 2015, they defeated teams like South Africa, Pakistan and India at home. With inclusion of their ace players like Taskin back into the squad, it only gets better. However, they will miss out on their crucial player Mustafizur Rahman who is away due to knee injury. The pace attack will be led by the skipper Mashrafe Mortaza himself.

The series presents an exciting opportunity to the Afghanistan side to further impress the world cricket. They have won hearts every time they have taken the field. This series will present them an opportunity to show the world they can win matches too. The series also comes on the back of another huge development which can turn the course of cricket in Afghanistan and also give a massive boost to the game in the region. ALSO READ: Taskin, Sunny cleared to bowl in international cricket

Bangladesh are Afghanistan are slated to play a three-ODI series and the hosts will be eager to start their new season on a winning note against a team fighting hard to shed their minnows tag from world cricket. Bangladesh’s next series will be against England at home.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh 265 (Tamim Iqbal 80, Mahmudullah 62, Shakib Al Hasan 48; Mohammad Nabi 2 for 40, Rashid Khan 2 for 37) vs Afghanistan

(More to Come)

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