Afghans seal series opener

A dominating all-round display from Afghanistan saw the visitors win the rain-interrupted first of the three-match ODI series against hosts Bangladesh by 17 runs via DLS at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram yesterday.

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided Afghanistan a solid start after the visitors restricted Bangladesh to a modest total of 169 for nine after the game was reduced to 43 overs.

Afghanistan were cruising in their chase, scoring 83 for two in 21.4 overs before rain halted the play for the third time. The match could not be further resumed as the visitors, who were ahead of the par score by 17 runs at the time of the last rain interruption, won the contest to leave the supporters -- who had braved the inclement weather and stayed late to cheer on the Tigers -- disappointed. 

With no scoreboard pressure, Bangladesh bowlers were unable to force any mistake from the Afghan batters, who were steady and patient in their chase. Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan gave the Tigers the breakthrough in the 16th over when he removed Gurbaz (22 off 45), but by that time the visitors had already assumed control of the game by adding 54 runs on the board. Zadran remained unbeaten on 41.

Earlier, on a bleak day for batters, skipper Tamim Iqbal (13 off 21) succumbed to Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has now taken the prized scalp of the Bangladesh captain on all the four occasions the two faced each other.

Towhid Hridoy stood out as the youngster notched his third fifty in his seventh ODI to help the Tigers avert humiliation. Hridoy's 69-ball 51 was the only thing holding together the Tigers' innings that lacked partnerships.