A superb all-round performance, highlighted by Ibrahim Zadran’s gritty 95 and Rashid Khan’s magical 5-wicket haul, powered the hosts to a comfortable victory.
Put in to bat, Afghanistan built their total around Ibrahim Zadran’s 95 off 140 balls, as the opener held firm while wickets fell regularly at the other end.
Bangladesh’s spinners applied pressure through the middle overs Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3/42) and Rishad Hossain (2/37) but Afghanistan managed to post 190 in 44.5 overs, a total that proved more than enough on a slow surface.
Chasing 191, Bangladesh were rocked early by Azmatullah Omarzai, who removed both openers Tanzid Hasan (0) and Saif Hassan (22) before dismissing captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4). From there, Rashid Khan took over in vintage style, weaving a web of spin to finish with 5 for 17 in 8.3 overs.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 109 in 28.3 overs, collapsing from 79/5 to 109 all out. Only Towhid Hridoy (24) and Nurul Hasan (15) offered brief resistance.
