Bangladesh go top of Super League table with series-sealing victory

Powered by Liton Das' century and Mushfiqur Rahim's valiant 86, Bangladesh secured a thumping 88-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI in Chattogram today to go to the top of the ICC ODI Super League table. With 10 wins from 14 matches, Bangladesh now sit top of the Super League table above England. 

Meanwhile, with today's win, the Tigers also sealed the three-match ODI series 2-0 with a game in hand. 

After a record 202-run third-wicket stand between Liton and Mushfiqur helped Bangladesh post a mammoth 306 for four -- their highest total against Afghanistan -- it was Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed who starred with the ball in hand to help the Tigers bundle out Afghanistan for just 218 in 45.1 overs.

Chasing the mammoth target, Afghanistan lost three early wickets and were reeling at 34 for three after 9.1 overs. However, even though the visitors never seemed to be in total control of the game, they did raise hopes and kept themselves in the game as Najibullah Zadran and Rahmat Shah stitched together an 89-run fourth-wicket stand. 

And just when the Afghans were starting to look a bit ominous, Taskin removed both Zadran (54 off 61) and Rahmat (52 off 71) in quick succession to once again sway the momentum towards the Tigers. Taskin finished with impressive figures of two for 31 in 10 overs that included two maidens. 

Shakib also impressed with ball in hand, returning figures of two for 38 in 10 overs. 

But before that, it was a brilliant batting display by Liton and Mushfiqur that put the Tigers in driving seat. The duo's 202-run stand is now the highest third-wicket partnership for Bangladesh in ODIs. it is also the fifth-highest stand for Bangladesh for any wicket. 

Liton was the most impressive one, delighting the fans with his exquisite strokeplay during a 126-ball 136 that featured 16 boundaries and two maximums.  

Joy takes brilliant catch to dismiss Mujeeb

[Wicket] Overs 44.2, AFG- 218/9: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the substitute fielder, took a brilliant catch to get rid of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Mujeeb played a slog sweep of Mahmudullah Riyad's delivery and Joy, who was stationed in the outfield, went over the line while taking the catch. But the player managed to throw it up and then take it again after getting back inside the boundary. A regulation catch in modern-day cricket but still takes some doing to execute. 

Fizz removes Rashid

[Wicket] Overs 40.3, AFG- 205/8: Ace left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman gets his first scalp of the day. After being smoked for a maximum and a four, Mustafizur retaliated in the best way as he castled Rashid Khan with an off-cutter. It was a good effort from Rashid as the all-rounder scored a quick-fire 26-ball 29. 

Afghans' tail exposed as Miraz removes Nabi

[Wicket] Overs 37.3, AFG- 184/7: Another growing partnership for Afghanistan comes to an end. This time it is Mehedi Hasan Miraz who has Mohammad Nabi caught at long-off, putting an end to a 33-run seventh-wicket stand between Nabi and Rashid Khan. In an attempt to keep up with the increasing required rate, Nabi went down the track and tried to clear the boundary for a six but only ended up skying it straight to the fielder. With that wicket, Afghanistan's tail has now been exposed. 

Six down Afghans struggling to keep up with the required rate

[Wicket] Overs 31.3, AFG- 151/6: Shakib Al Hasan gets his second wicket of the match. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, trying to cut a looped-up delivery, ends up chopping it onto his own stumps. Afghanistan lose their sixth wicket and with the required rate now above eight, the game seems to be well and truly slipping out of the visitors' hands.  

Tigers in driving seat around halfway

Just when Afghanistan were beginning to feel optimistic, opener Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran departed after scoring their fifties.

With the dismissal of Rahmat, a well-stitched 89-run partnership off 90 balls between Rahmat and Najibullah ended. The visitors are on 146 for five after 30 overs. Experienced Mohammad Nabi is in the middle with Rahmatullah Gurbaz.

28.1 ovrs; Afg 140/5: Taskin strikes again and picks another key wicket in similar fashion. Najibullah fails to cut Taskin and gets an edge to keeper. Mushfiqur is delighted! Najibullah Zadran c Mushfiqur Rahim b Taskin Ahmed 54 (61b 7x4) SR: 88.52

24.1 ovrs; Afg 123/4: Taskin, you beauty! Lands it in the corridor and the ball straightens to clip the bails off.
Rahmat Shah b Taskin Ahmed 52 (71b 4x4) SR: 73.23

Afghanistan bring up hundred inside 20 overs

It has not been the brightest start to the chase of 307 from the visitors, who have faced 56 dot deliveries in the first 90 balls. At 105 for 3 after 21 overs, the asking run-rate is close to seven per over with bulk of batting left in the game. Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed have given nothing away so far, both boasting economy rates of under 3.5 per over.

However, Afghanistan, with their T20 cricket prowess, will back themselves when the equation comes down to the last 15-20 overs, provided the asking run-rate does not escalate a little too much. Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran have stitched a 67-run partnership off 64 balls as both batters are in their forties.  

Eventful 17th over: Bowler Shakib was displeased when Shoriful Islam missed an easy catch at long off in the beginning of the over. The ace player then almost engineered a run out of Rahmat at the non-striker's end with his presence of mind. However, Shakib made a sporting gesture and overturned the third umpire's decision since he wasn't sure of whether he managed to get a touch on the ball, driven by Najibullah, before it had hit the stumps. Rahmat survives, thanks to Shakib!

9.1 ovrs; Afg 34/3: Shakib too good! Omarzai dances down the track but the wily old customer deceived the batter with his signature flighted arm-ball. Regulation stumping for Mushfiqur.
Azmatullah Omarzai st Mushfiqur Rahim b Shakib Al Hasan 9 (16b 1x4) 

A familiar sight with Shakib Al Hasan celebrating with his teammates after scalping an important wicket. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Tigers make early inroads

Bangladesh have continued their momentum from the first innings and dislodged two wickets inside four overs. The Afghanistan team are chasing a big target of 307 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today to stay alive in the three-match series after losing the first ODI.

At 32 for two after eight overs, Azmatullah Omarzai is in the middle with opener Rahmat Shah as the visitors look to consolidate. Shoriful Islam grabbed a wicket while Taskin Ahmed has been been precise with his line and length so far.

3.5 ovrs; 16/2: And the captain departs! Shoriful gets his man caught behind as Mushfiqur Rahim takes an easy one.  
Hashmatullah Shahidi c Mushfiqur Rahim b Shoriful Islam 5 (3b 1x4 0x6) SR: 166.66

Yasir Rabbi joins to celebrate the dismissal with Shoriful Islam. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

1.1 ovrs; Afg 9/1: Afif Hossain pulls off a direct throw from the mid wicket. Opener Riaz Hassan falls short at the non-striker's end. The Tigers draw first blood!
Riaz Hassan run out (Afif Hossain) 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

Afif Dhrubo celebrates with Mehedi Miraz after causing a run out. Photo: Firoz Ahmed