Mustafiz was exceptional: Mahmudullah
Photo - ICC
|| Desk Report ||
Mahmudullah said that he would rate the last over of Mustafizur Rahman above everything in the perspective of changing the fortune of the game as he defended eight runs against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup.
“I give special credit to Mustafizur because he was struggling with a hamstring problem.
“I would say Mustafizur's last over [was more important]. Because although our partnership was important, defending eight off six balls is not that easy,” said Mahmudullah.
Mustafizur snatched a victory from the jaw of defeat as Bangladesh ended their sorry tale against Afghanistan to eke out a three-run win and stay in hunt for a place in the Asia Cup final in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Mustafiz gave away just four runs in the thrilling final over when Afghanistan needed eight runs with at least one set batsman, Samiullah Shenwari, at the crease.
Mustafiz conceded two runs in the first ball but took the wicket of Rashid Khan in the next delivery to give Bangladesh a faint hope before two leg-byes in next three balls made it four required off the last ball for Afghanistan.
The left-arm pacer bowled an angular short of length delivery, which Shenwari missed completely, handing Bangladesh the narrow win as Tigers restricted Afghanistan to 246-7 after posting 249-7 and kept their hopes alive for reaching the final.
Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in their last match of the Super Four phase and with both teams managing two points from two games it will be the winner who will take on India in the final as they sneaked through by picking four points from two games.
