Incredible Afif, Miraz help Tigers gun down Afghans

From six down with just 45 on the board after 11.2 overs, it needed something miraculous from Bangladesh to turn the game around in their favour.

And that's what Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain ensured as the duo stitched together a record unbeaten seventh-wicket stand to help Bangladesh stage one of the greatest comebacks to secure a four-wicket victory against Afghanistan in their first of three ODIs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. 

After a horrible top order meltdown, Afif and Miraz strung together an unbeaten 174-run stand for the seventh wicket to chase down the 216-run target set by Afghanistan. This is also the best partnership by Bangladesh for any wicket against Afghanistan, surpassing the 140-run second-wicket stand by Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman in Mirpur in 2016. Their stand is now also the eighth highest for Bangladesh in ODI history.

It could have been Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi's day. After all the young seamer had run through the top order of Bangladesh, scalping the first four wickets -- those of openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das, experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and debutant Yasir Ali -- inside just five overs of the innings. 

It could also have been one of the lowest points in Bangladesh's cricketing history as the Tigers were staring at a humiliating big-margin defeat at home after returning to their most favoured format in over seven months.

But, on a day when the experienced players failed, it was the young duo of Afif and Miraz that came through for Bangladesh and snatched a victory against all the odds. And they could only do it because of the belief that they had in themselves. 

"Nothing is impossible. We knew we could do it," said a confident Miraz when he came to receive his well-deserved player-of-the-match award for his unbeaten 120-ball 81 and miserly figures with the ball in hand. Miraz remained wicketless on the day but gave away just 28 runs in his 10 overs that included three maidens, ensuring the likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan can reap rewards from the other end. 

Miraz also did not forget to show his admiration towards Afif, who was as much instrumental in their incredible fightback. 

"He was brilliant. I gained confidence by looking at him play from the other end," Miraz tried to put in words Afif's unbeaten 115-ball 93, laced with 11 fours and a solitary maximum. 

Before Afif and Miraz stole the show, Bangladesh did put up a decent bowling display to restrict Afghanistan to a modest 215 all out in 49.1 overs. In fact, it was Najibullah Zadran's 84-ball 67 that eventually helped Afghanistan to take the score past the 200-run mark.  

For Bangladesh, pacer Mustafizur took the most wickets. He ended with figures of three for 35 in 9.1 overs.

Also, pacersTaskin, Shoriful and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan scalped two wickets each while off-spinner Miraz, who constantly kept the pressure on from one end, was the most economical bowlers despite remaining wicketless in the game.  

But above all, the game will always be remembered for the brave effort displayed by the two youngsters when everything was stacked against them.  

Miraz, Afif stitch together record 7th wicket stand for Bangladesh

Overs 42.2, BAN- 173/6: Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain have now stitched together the highest seventh-wicket stand for Bangladesh in ODIs. They added 128 runs for the seventh wicket, surpassing the previous best of a 127-run stand by Imrul Kayes and Mohammad Saifuddin against Zimbabwe in Mirpur in 2018. They reached the feat when Afif pushed a Rashid Khan delivery through cover for a quick single. The duo has played magnificently so far, helping Bangladesh fight back from a precarious situation after the Tigers were reduced to 45 for six in just 11.2 overs. 

Miraz reaches second ODI fifty

Overs 35.6, BAN- 154/6: Mehedi Hasan Miraz brings up his fifty off 79 deliveries in style. Miraz pulls a short one from pacer Yamin Ahmadzai through square leg for a boundary as Bangladesh now look to be in control of the game. This is Miraz's second ODI fifty.  

Afif, Miraz star in 100-run stand

Overs 34.5, BAN 145/6: A four off the bat of Mehedi Hasan Miraz brings up the 100-run stand between him and Afif Hossain. An outside off delivery from Mohammad Nabi and Miraz, who tries to sweep it, gets an inside edge as the ball goes between the keeper's legs for a boundary. 

Afif notches maiden ODI fifty as Tigers fight back

Overs 30.2, BAN 131/6: Afif Hossain reaches fifty off 64 deliveries. He reached the landmark score by taking a single off leggie Rashid Khan. This is also his maiden ODI fifty and it could not have come at a better time for Bangladesh, who were reeling at 45 for six at one stage of the game while chasing a 216-run target set by Afghanistan. 

Delay in play due to floodlight glitch

Just In: There is a sudden delay in play as there seems to be some issue with the floodlights at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. After 30 overs, Bangladesh are 130 for six as Afif Hossain and Mehedi Hasan Miraz staged an incredible fightback through their 85-run unbeaten stand. 

Afif, Miraz rebuilding after top-order collapse

After 21 Overs, BAN- 95/6: Following a disastrous initial phase of the innings, Bangladesh finally started to retaliate as Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain stitched together a 50-run unbeaten stand for the seventh wicket. The duo has played sensibly so far, putting away bad deliveries while being watchful towards the good ones. Despite Bangladesh being in a precarious situation having lost six for just 45 runs inside the first 12 overs, both Miraz and Afif did not shy away from playing their shots. Miraz remains unbeaten on 23 off 30 deliveries while Afif is not out on 30 off 38 deliveries. This is the last recognised batting pair for Bangladesh and they still have a long way to go in order to salvage something from this game.  

Six down Tigers staring at humiliation

[Wicket] Overs 11.2, BAN 45/6: Bangladesh lose another one. Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan comes into the attack and gets the wicket of Mahmudullah Riyad in just his second delivery. Mahmudullah tries to cut an outside off delivery and gets a thick outside edge as Gulbadin Naib takes a sharp catch at first slip. With six down in just the 12th over, the prime task for the Tigers has now become to avoid humiliation at the hands of the Afghans. 

Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal walks back to the pavilion after being dismissed by a Fazalhaq Farooqi delivery. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Tigers in tatters as top order collapses

[Wicket] Overs 7.4, BAN 28/5: Mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman strikes. An outside off delivery and Shakib Al Hasan has a go at it and only manages to drag it onto his stumps. Shakib departs after scoring just 10 off 15 deliveries. Bangladesh could be staring at utter humiliation here.

Farooqi dismantles Tigers' top order

[Wicket] Overs 4.6, BAN 18/4: Fourth one for Fazalhaq Farooqi. Incredible! Another peach of a delivery from the 21-year-old seamer. A good length ball comes back in towards the right-handed debutant Yasir Ali and the batter had no clue how to deal with it. The ball went on to knock uproot his leg stump. Yasir has to walk back without opening his account. Not the debut Yasir wanted and surely not the start Bangladesh anticipated. The Tigers in big trouble. 

[Wicket] Overs 4.1, BAN 18/3: Fazalhaq Farooqi gets his third. The left-arm seamer is on fire as this time he has the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim trapped in front. A good length delivery that was ever so slightly shaping back in struck Mushfiqur on his knee roll, inducing a huge appeal by the Afghans. The umpire obliged but Mushfiqur decided for a review only to see all the indicators turn red as he had to walk back after a five-ball three. Bangladesh now see themselves in a precarious situation.  

Farooqi removes Liton, Tamim in quick succession

[Wicket] Overs 2.5, BAN- 15/2: Another one for Fazalhaq Farooqi in the same over. This time it is Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal who has to walk away. A good length ball that was coming in towards the left-hander had struck him on his pads. The umpire gave not out initially but the review showed the ball would have hit the stumps. Decision overturned and Bangladesh lose two in quick succession. 

[Wicket] Overs 2.3, BAN- 13/1: Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi provides the first blow to Bangladesh as he removes opener Liton Das in the third over. A back of a length delivery that jagged back in slightly had caught Liton by surprise. The ball got a slight inside edge off the bat of Liton which was later confirmed by ultraedge on review. Liton departs after scoring just one off eight deliveries.