Naim hit ton as Bangladesh A draw one-day series against Afghans
Pic: Bcb
CF Correspondent
Bangladesh A finally saved them from the ultimate shamble after they secured a 62-run win over Afghanistan A in the fifth and final one-day match to draw the series 2-2 at BKSP on Monday, thanks to a brilliant ton from opener Mohammad Naim.
The second string Bangladesh earlier lost the two-match four-day series by 1-0 before standing on the brink of losing the five-match one-day series too.
They lost the first match by 10 wickets and second one by four wickets before capturing seven-wicket win in third match. The Afghans however were in winning position in the fourth match before rain saved Bangladesh A from the potential defeat.
In the wake of huge criticism for their ordinary performance against the war-torn side, Bangladesh A finally saved the face by winning the fifth match to draw the series and thereby avoided the tour sweep.
Naim struck 11 fours and one six in his 143 ball-126 as Bangladesh A racked up 262-9 before bowlers bowled well in tandem to dismiss Afghanistan A for 200 in 45.1 overs.
Afif Hossain was the other notable scorer for the local side with 50 ball-53, hitting four fours and two sixes. Apart from these two, other batsmen continued their poor batting show that cost the Bangladesh A in the whole series.
Aminul Islam scored 22 and captain Imrul Kayes made 21.
Karim Janat took 3-73 while Fazal Niazai bagged 2-56.
The Afghans power hitter however was checked by Bangladesh bowler in the crucial match. Yeasin Arafat led the bowling with 3-40 while Shafiqul Islam and Aminul Islam grabbed two wickets apiece.
Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored highest 54 for Afghans while captain Nasir Jamal contributed with 47 runs.
