Afghans defend 233 against BCB XI
In the only practice game ahead of the three-match ODI series due to begin on September 25, Afghanistan managed to defend a below-par total to beat BCB XI by 66 runs at Fatullah today.
Bangladesh Cricket Board XI captain Imrul Kayes won the toss and decided to field first. His bowlers vindicated his decision as they had Afghanistan in a spot of bother at 3-47 inside 15 overs. However, Afghan middle order stopped the rot, and useful contributions from Hashmatullah Shahidi, captain Asghar Stanikzai, Rashid Khan and Mirwais Ashraf pushed their score to 233 in 49.2 overs.
Shahidi top-scored for his team with a well-made 69 from 96 balls, and his knock contained five fours and a massive six. The wickets were shared among Alauddin Babu, Abu Hider, Subashis Roy and Mehedi Hasan Miraz. Mehedi and Babu grabbed three wickets each.
In reply, BCB XI endured a horrible start, and were tottering at 3-23 inside seven overs. Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque and Sabbir Rahman failed to get into double digits in terms of runs scored. When wickets were falling at regular intervals at one end, young Mosaddek Hossain Shaikat offered stiff resistance and played sensibly. His innings of 76 from 97 balls was the only bright spot in the BCB XI scorecard. With Shuvagata Hom, Shaikat brought down the margin of defeat against a spirited Afghan side.
Afghan spinners, especially Mohammad Nabi tightened the noose around BCB XI batters with disciplined bowling, and the wickets came as a reward for persistence. Nabi picked up four wickets for 24 runs in eight overs. Fareed Ahmed and Rashid Khan took two wickets each.
The Afghanistan national cricket team arrived on September 21 to take part in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh at the Sher-e- Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.
The three matches between Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be played on September 25, 28 and October 1.
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