Mosaddek stands out after early collapse

Bangladesh top-order batters displayed a disappointing act after captain Shakib Al Hasan, playing his 100th T20I, won the toss and opted to bat first against Afghanistan in their Asia Cup opener at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE on Tuesday.

From going four down inside seven overs, the Tigers eventually tallied 127 for seven in 20 overs, courtesy of Mosaddek Hossain's 30-ball 48. The two Afghan spinners, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, shared the spoils and scalped three apiece, with the other dismissal being the one of Mosaddek who ran himself out in the final over in trying to sneak a single.

Bangladesh openers, Mohammad Naim and Anamul Haque Bijoy, thoroughly struggled during their brief stay at the crease and both were deceived by Mujeeb, who struck in his first over as Naim (6) missed the line of the ball that held its line to hit the middle stump while Bijoy (5) was out leg-before in the innings' fourth over.

Bangladesh skipper, in at one-down, counter-attacked in the fifth over, striking two well-timed boundaries off pacer Naveen-ul-Haque. However, Shakib (11) also brought his downfall by trying to cut Mujeeb in-drifter, which skidded off the surface.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan joined the Afghan party by trapping both Mushfiqur Rahim (1) and Afif Hossain (12) in front. With the Tigers 53 for five inside 11 overs with Afif gone, Mahmudullah Riyad combined with Mosaddek in a consolidation act for a 36-run stand before Rashid tempted Riyad (25 off 27) to slog-sweep. The veteran batter was caught in the deep through a brilliant diving catch by Ibrahim Zadran.

Bangladesh ended their innings on a good note as Mosaddek strung the innings' highest partnership of 38 runs off 24 balls with Mahedi Hasan, who remained unbeaten on 14.