Tigers restrict Afghans to a modest total

A disciplined bowling display from Bangladesh saw them restrict Afghanistan to a modest total in the first of the three ODIs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. 

Bangladesh bowlers kept a tight leash on the Afghanistan batters right from the word go as the Tigers bundled the visitors out for 215 in 49.1 overs. However, thanks to Najibullah Zadran's 84-ball 67, Afghanistan were able to take the score past the 200-run mark.   

Electing to bat, Afghanistan lost opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz early to Mustafizur Rahman. And just when Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran started consolidating steadily, their 45-run stand was ended by another left-arm pacer in Shoriful Islam. 

With Bangladesh bowlers constantly keeping up the pressure through dots, Afghanistan never really got going in the middle as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The only time the visitors looked to be somewhat ominous and in control of the game was when Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran were scoring runs at a decent pace. But that partnership of a run-a-ball 63 ended when Taskin Ahmed had Nabi caught behind in the 39th over. 

However, Najibullah kept on going despite losing partners at the other end. The left-hander struck some lusty blows at the latter stage of the game, helping Afghanistan to a modest total. 

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 Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who constantly kept the pressure on from one end, was the most economical bowlers despite remaining wicketless in the game.  

Shakib gets two in one over

[Wicket] Overs 44.6, Overs, AFG- 194/7: Another one for Shakib in the same over. Rashid Khan tries to play it on the offside off his backfoot but misses the ball completely and sees his stumps shattered.  

[Wicket] Overs 44.3, AFG- 194/6: It has not been the best of the days for Shakib Al Hasan.The premier all-rounder uncharacteristically has been wayward at times and leaked runs. But he finally gets a wicket. A flighted delivery in the middle stump and it struck Gulbadin Naib on his pads. The umpire gives out but the batter reviews only to confirm that he has been trapped in front. 

Taskin gets another one

[Wicket] Overs 38.3, AFG- 165/5: It is Taskin Ahmed again for Bangladesh. This time the pacer breaks an ominous-looking run-a-ball 63-run stand between Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran when he had the former caught behind after a 24-ball 20. Nabi went for a cover drive but only ended up getting a thick edge back to the wicketkeeper. Afghanistan had just started accelerating and this growing partnership could have caused Tigers more problems. 

Riyad serves purpose almost immediately     

[Wicket] Overs 27.6, AFG- 102/4: Skipper Tamim Iqbal brings part-time spinner Mahmudullah Riyad and he serves the purpose almost immediately. Hashmatullah Shahidi, who was well set at the crease, tries to cut a harmless outside off delivery and ends up getting an edge as wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim takes another catch behind the stumps. Shahidi departs after a 43-ball 28 and Mahmudullah lives up to his reputation of providing breakthroughs at crucial junctures of the game.  

Taskin removes Rahmat

[Wicket] Overs 21.6, AFG- 79/3: Taskin Ahmed, who has been brought back into the attack for his second spell, gets the reward for his hard work. A back of a length delivery from the right-arm pacer induces an edge off the bat of Rahmat Shah. Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim takes an easy catch as Rahmat departs after a steady 69-ball 34.  

Shoriful ends a 45-run stand

[Wicket] Overs 13.2, AFG- 56/2: Just when Afghanistan batters started building a partnership and were seemingly getting into the groove after a tricky first phase of the game, young left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam did the trick for Bangladesh. Shoriful ended a promising 45-run stand between Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah when he had the former edge one back and had him caught at first slip. Zadran, who was dropped on 3, walks out after a 23-ball 19. 

Overs 5.5, AFG- 19/1: DROPPED! With the Bangladesh bowlers creating constant pressure with dot balls, Afghanistan batters are starting to look to force boundaries. And that had almost led to another wicket for the Tigers. A short ball from Taskin Ahmed and Ibrahim Zadran pulls it towards deep square leg where Mahmudullah Riyad, running in to take the low catch, drops it as the batter survives on 3. 

Fizz gives Tigers early breakthrough

[Wicket] Overs 2.3, AFG- 11/1: Ace left-arm paceman Mustafizur Rahman gives Bangladesh an early breakthrough. Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz charged down the ground to play it over the infield but was only able to find the hands of Tamim Iqbal at midwicket. He walks out after a 14-ball 7. The Tigers have made a good start with the ball as the pacers are providing very little room to the visitors.   

Bangladesh batter Yasir Ali receives his ODI cap. Photo: BCB

Yasir makes ODI debut as Tigers asked to bowl

Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to bat against Bangladesh in their first of three ODIs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. 

With four uncapped players in the Tigers' squad for the series, it was almost predictable that the series would see the debut of a few players. And in that regard, middle-order batter Yasir Ali gets the first nod, making his ODI debut for Bangladesh today. He became the 137th player to represent Bangladesh in ODIs.

Local boy Yasir has also made his debut in Tests against Pakistan at the same venue in November last year. The 25-year-old batter has also impressed in the Tigers' latest two-Test New Zealand tour, in which Bangladesh won for the first time against the Kiwis overseas in the format. 

Bangladesh, playing their first ODI in over seven months, have fielded a full-strength squad as experienced campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim -- who missed the Tigers' last ODI series against Zimbabwe in July last year -- is back in the squad.   

Bangladesh have won nine of their last 10 ODIs at home while Afghanistan are also in fine form, winning their last six matches on the trot.

Playing XI:

Bangladesh: 1 Litton Das, 2 Tamim Iqbal (c), 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Yasir Ali, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Afif Hossain, 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Shoriful Islam, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Afghanistan: 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 5 Najibullah Zadran, 6 Gulbadin Naib, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Yamin Ahmadzai, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi