Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored half-centuries as Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in Dharamsala today (07 Oct.), to start their Cricket World Cup campaign.
After opting to bowl first, Bangladesh spinners ran through Afghanistan batters to bowl them out for 156 in 37.2 overs.
Mehidy took 3/25 while Shakib Al Hasan took 3/30. In reply, Bangladesh lost their openers early before Mehidy and Najmul Hossain Shanto joined hands to add 97 runs for the fourth wicket to put their team on course. Mehidy made 57.
Najmul also completed his half-century and remained unbeaten on 59 hitting the winning boundary, while Mehidy made 57 as Bangladesh overhauled the target of 157 in 34.4 overs. Afghanistan were guilty of dropping two catches as well.
Afghans had made a solid start but then regular wickets dented their progress. Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with 47.
- With input from agencies
