Afif-Miraz pull Tigers from dusk to memorable victory
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Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain’s record run partnership catapult Tigers to thump Afghanistan by 4 wickets in the first ODI series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong.
Tigers have chased down the target of 216 runs for the loss of six wickets in 48.5 overs. After the disastrous initial phase of the innings, Bangladesh struck back as Miraz and Afif put on 174 runs for the seventh wicket stand, which is the highest seventh-wicket partnership in Asia and second in ODI history.
Fazalhaq Farooqi put on a show of pace, swing, and accuracy after allowing two boundaries in his opening over. Liton Das, who snatched the ball from keeper Gurbaz, was his first victim. Initially, he was not released, but Afghanistan made the most of DRS.
Two balls later, Afghanistan made another successful use of it, and this time it was captain Tamim Iqbal who was adjudged leg-before.
In his following over, Farooqi trapped Mushfiqur Rahim in front and dismissed rookie Yasir Ali. After five overs, Bangladesh were 18 for four.
The burden was on Shakib and Mahmudullah to save Bangladesh, but Shakib was bowled by Mujeeb-ur-Rahman from an inside-edge. It was the seventh time Bangladesh have lost five wickets or more in the powerplay.
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When Bangladesh was batting, nothing went their way. The hosts were five down for 45 when Rashid Khan stepped in to bowl the 12th over and instantly sent Mahmudullah to the pavilion.
After a horror start, Afif and Miraz steadied the ship. Unbeaten Afif smashed his maiden ODI half-century 93 off 115 and Miraz scored 81 off 120 deliveries with nine boundaries.
Farooqi has picked four conceding 54 runs in his 10 overs. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan took one wicket each for the visitors.
Earlier, opting to bat first Afghanistan scored 215 runs in 49.1 overs. Najibullah Zadran smashed a half-century, he scored 67 off 84 deliveries that featured 4 fours and two six.
After the early exit of the Rahmanullah Gurbaz (7) Afghans tried to be steady with as Rahmat Shah (34) and Ibrahim Zadran (19) piled up a 45 runs partnership.
Bowlers maintained the pressure through dots, as a result, Afghanistan lost wickets at regular intervals.
Afghan captain Hasmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi played brief innings of 28 and 20 in the middle. Najibullah kept on going despite losing partners at the other end and completed his half-century.
Mustafizur returned figures of three conceding 35 runs in 9.1 overs while Shakib, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam picked up two wickets each and Mahmudullah got one. Miraz remained the most economical bowler despite remaining wicketless in the game.
Bangladesh middle-order batter Yasir Ali Rabbi made his ODI debut.
