Afghanistan earned its first win over a major team when it humbled host Bangladesh by 32 runs in its first Asia Cup today.
Afghanistan bowled out Bangladesh for 222 in the 48th over after scoring 254-6 at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Captain Mohammad Nabi led by example with 3-44, and Hamid Hassan and Shapoor Zadran picked up two wickets apiece including the openers, reducing Bangladesh to 2-1.
Bangladesh recovered somewhat, then lost four wickets for four runs, slumping from 161-4 to 165-8 in the 41st over against a team playing only its fourth one-day international against a topflight side.
Afghanistan also recovered remarkably while batting, from 90-5. That brought in Samiullah Shenwari, who combined with Asghar Stanikzai in a 164-run partnership until the second-to-last ball of the innings.
Shenwari smashed 81 off 69 balls with 10 boundaries, and Stanikzai, the glue of the innings, finished 90 not out from 103 balls, with six fours and three sixes.
Shenwari’s legspin also was key, as he bowled Mominul Haque, Bangladesh’s top-scorer.
Hassan and Zadran worried the Bangladesh batsmen with pace and controlled aggression. Hassan took 2-26 and Zadran 2-39.
After they removed the openers in the first two overs, Nabi claimed his counterpart Mushfiqur Rahgim for 23. Shenwari jolted Bangladesh further by taking out Haque at 88-4.
Naeem Islam and Nasir Hossain calmed Bangladesh, as the Afghan fielders failed to pouch high catches.
Hossain survived four dropped catches before he departed for 41. His dismissal sparked a sensational collapse. Ziaur Rahman also scored 41, but he had a slow when Bangladesh was already eight wickets down. He delayed the inevitable with four boundaries and three sixes.
Earlier, Stanikzai and Shenwari blasted Bangladesh to all corners, scoring 107 in the last 10 overs to post a competitive total on a slow pitch.
Arafat Sunny was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, returning figures of 2-44. Mominul Haque and Rubel Hossain took one wicket each.
Stanikzai’s fourth half-century was also his second against a major team. He scored 66 against Australia in Sharjah. He brought up Saturday’s 50 with a six over long-on off Rubel Hossain.
It was Shenwari’s first half-century against topflight opposition. He has three 50-plus scores with the highest, 82, against Kenya. He was run out as a result of a misunderstanding with Stanikzai on the second-to-last ball.
Stanikzai showcased his talent in an otherwise organized innings. Bangladeshi fielders also contributed to his career-best score dropping him three times, on 35, 72 and 77.
Bangladesh’s situation worsened when Sohag Gazi left the ground with a palm injury after trying to stop a shot. He batted through the injury but could not make any difference. (AP)
