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Afghanistan outplayed us: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza

Bangladesh had Afghanistan under the pump in the last league match of the 2018 Asia Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Thursday, but from 160 for seven in 40.2 overs, Afghanistan rose to 255 for seven

Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan (in pic), Mohammad Nabi and Rahmat Shah took six wickets between them giving away just 66 runs in 29.1 overs.
Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan (in pic), Mohammad Nabi and Rahmat Shah took six wickets between them giving away just 66 runs in 29.1 overs.

Bangladesh had Afghanistan under the pump in the last league match of the 2018 Asia Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Thursday, but from 160 for seven in 40.2 overs, Afghanistan rose to 255 for seven and Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza conceded that Afghanistan outplayed his team from there on.

“I think Afghanistan outplayed us from the 40th over in the first innings,” said Mortaza during the post-match presentation. Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for a paltry 119.

“Our batting was not up to the mark and the bowling in last 10 overs was poor,” said Mortaza. While Bangladesh conceded 97 runs in the last ten overs, they failed miserably to read Afghanistan spinners. Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Rahmat Shah took six wickets between them giving away just 66 runs in 29.1 overs.

While Bangladesh will have sit and assess what went wrong against Afghanistan, unfortunately, they don’t have the time for that as they start their Super 4 campaign against India on Friday.

“We have to be fresh for tomorrow’s big match. It is hard to recover from the heat and back to back matches. Hopefully we will come up with something better tomorrow and play hard, said Mortaza.

Bangladesh did miss their top two players- Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman– both of whom were rested and Mortaza confirmed that the duo will be back for the India clash.

“ Tamim (Iqbal) is going back home. Mushy (Mushfiqur) had a good rest, Mustafizur is coming back from an injury as well so they will play tomorrow since it is a game of consequence,” he added.

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