Bangladesh bounced back from its loss to Sri Lanka with a thumping win against Afghanistan which moved the side to the second spot in Group B.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto delivered when it signified the most by hitting centuries as Bangladesh registered an emphatic 89- run palm over Afghanistan to keep itself alive in the Asia Cup then on Sunday.
While Miraz amassed 112 runs off 119 deliveries, Shanto picked up where he left off in the former game, with a 105- ball 104 to take Bangladesh to a commanding 334 for five after concluding to club.
Bangladesh bowlers, led by Taskin Ahmed (4/44 in8.3 overs) and Shoriful Islam (3/36 in 9 overs), also joined the party as they struck at regular intervals to coliseum out Afghanistan for 245 in 44.3 overs despite the stylish sweats of Ibrahim Zadran( 75 off 74) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (51).
After the palm, Bangladesh was in alternate spot in Group B, while Afghanistan needs to win its final game against Sri Lanka for a chance to progress in the Super Four stage.
Chasing 335, Afghanistan plodded to maintain the needed run rate which kept on adding as Bangladesh bowlers piled on fleck balls to make pressure.
Afghanistan didn’t have the stylish of thresholds as the big- hitting Rahmanullah Gurbaz (1) was trapped leg before by Shoriful Islam in the alternate over. But Zadran and Rahmat Shah( 33) maundered intelligently to help Afghanistan recover from the early blow.
They took their side from1/1 to79/2 but just when they looked to make raids, Taskin sailed a reverse of length delivery and just as Rahmat tried to slog it, the ball crashed into the top of out- refuse.
At the halfway mark, Afghanistan demanded nine runs per over to win. It tried to up the figure with Zadran hitting Miraz for a four, followed by a six over deep midwicket to collect 14 runs from the over.
But the Bangladesh bowlers were right on their mark on the night. Hasan Mahmud (1/61) reckoned for the dangerous Zardan, which led to a mini fur collapse.
Najibullah Zadran (17), Shahidi, Gulbadin Naib (15), Mohammad Nabi (3) and Karim Janat (1) departed within the space of six overs.
Before, after an underwhelming fur display in their event nature, the Bangladesh fur unit gave a good account of itself. Afghanistan bowlers were shamefaced of oohing runs, especially left- arm medium leader Fazalhaq Farooqi (0/53 in 6 overs), as commander Hashmatullah Shahidi plodded to find answers.
Indeed star incentive Rashid Khan (0/66 in 10 overs) was ineffective as he remained wicketless. Playing in the scorching heat, Miraz put up a 60- run opening stage with Mohammad Naim (28) to give Bangladesh a strong launch. still, Afghanistan put Bangladesh in a spot of bother by claiming two lattices in quick race.
Off- incentive Mujeeb Ur Rahman(1/62 in 10 overs) gave Afghanistan the first advance as he gutted up Naim with a perfect googly.
Medium leader Gulbadin Naib (0/59 in 8 overs) also convinced an outside edge to shoot Towhid Hridoy quilting without opening his account. Miraz also began the rebuilding act with Shanto. The two sutured a 194- run cooperation.
The way both Shanto and Mehidy maundered, it looked doubtful that any of the Afghan bowlers would be suitable to snare their lattices and that’s what exactly happed.
Miraz retired hurt in the 43rd over due to cramps in his left hand. A many overs latterly, Shanto tried a rear reach but slipped as he set off to take a run, putting an end to his spectacular innings.
Despite three run- outs, the Afghan fielding was set up wanting on several occasions. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan (11 not out) and Shamim Hossain (10) took Bangladesh past the 300- run mark. Know More Latest Cricket News….
