Sabbir Hossain :
Bangladesh thrashed Afghanistan by 89 runs in their do-or-die Group-B match of the Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.
Bangladesh are on the brink of ‘Super Four’ berth. But the Tigers’ have to wait for the last Group-B match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
If Sri Lanka win the match, Afghanistan will be ousted from the tournament.
On the other hand, if Afghanistan win over Lanka, the ‘Super Four’ berth of three teams will be decided in the net run rate.
Winning in the coin session, Bangladesh decided to bat first and piled up a mammoth total of 334 for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then bundled out Afghanistan for 245 off 44.3 overs.
Bangladesh made a solid start as the two openers Mohammad Naim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put on together 60 runs in the opening stand before Mohammad Naim (28) was bowled out by Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
After Naim’s dismissal, Towhid Hridoy arrived at the crease but he could not stay at the crease for a long period as Hridoy (0) was caught at the slip by Ibrahim Zadran off Gulbadin Naib when Bangladesh’s score was 63 for the loss of two wickets.
Opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz and second-down Najmul Hossain Shanto mended the innings contributing together 194 runs for the third wicket partnership before Miraz was retired hurt when the Tigers’ total was 257 for the loss of two wickets.
Miraz struck a marvelous 112. His 119-ball innings was studded with seven fours and three sixes.
After Miraz’s departure, Najmul Hossain Shanto was run out by a joint-effort of Najibullah Zadran and wicketkeeper Rahmatullah Gurbaz when Bangladesh’s score was 278 for the loss of three wickets.
Shanto hit a terrific 104.
His 105-ball innings was laced with nine fours and two sixes.
After Shanto’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim (25) was run out by a joint-effort of Hashmatullah Shahidi and Gulbadin Naib when the Tigers’ score was 294 for the loss of four wickets.
Then, Shakib Al Hasan and Shamim Hossain scored together 30 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Shamim (11) was run out by a joint-effort of Karim Janat and Rahmatullah Gurbaz when Bangladesh’s total was 324 for the loss of five wickets.
Bangladesh bowlers dominated Afghanistan’s batters and the Bangladesh bowlers helped their side to earn victory.
Taskin captured four wickets in the space of 44 runs, while Shoriful grabbed three wickets at the cost of 36 runs. Hasan Mahmud and Miraz took one wicket apiece.
left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam struck as opener Gurbaz (1) was trapped leg before wicket when Afghanistan’s score was just one.
Opener Ibrahim Zadran and second-down Rahmat Shah repaired the damage adding together 78 runs in the second wicket stand before Rahmat Shah (33) was bowled out by pacer Taskin Ahmed when Afghanistan’s total was 79 for the loss of two wickets.
Ibrahim Zadran was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Hasan Mahmud when Afghanistan’s total was 131 for the loss of three wickets.
Ibrahim Zadran hit an almost run-a-ball 75. His 74-ball innings had 10 fours and one six.
After Ibrahim Zadran’s removal, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Najibullah Zadran put up 62 runs for the fourth wicket stand before Najibullah Zadran (17) was cleanly bowled out Miraz when Afghanistan’s score was 193 for the loss of four wickets.
Pacer Shoriful struck as Shahidi (51) was dismissed when Afghanistan’s score was 196 for the loss of five wickets.
Shroriful struck again as Gulbadin Naib (15) was cleanly bowled out by the pacer when Afghanistan’s total 212 for the loss of six wickets.
Mohammad Nabi (3) was caught at the midwicket by Afif Hossain off Taskin Ahmed when Afghanistan’s score was 214 for the loss of seven wickets.
Karim Janat (1) was run out by a direct throw of substitute Anamul Haque when Afghanistan’s total was 221 for the loss of eight wickets.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1) was hit wicket by Taskin Ahmed when Afghanistan’s total was 244 for the loss of nine wickets.
Taskin struck again as Rashid Khan (24) was dismissed by the right-arm pacer and Afghanistan’s innings came to an end.
