CHATTOGRAM, Feb 23, 2022 (BSS)-Nazibullah Zadran struck a well-composed 67
as Afghanistan racked up 215 before being all out in 49.1 overs in the
opening game of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh at the Zahur
Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here today.
Rahman Shah made 34 and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 28 to
complement Nazibullah's knock.
Afghanistan however lost opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz cheaply after they
opted to bat first but Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran dealt with a
disciplined Bangladeshi attack with utmost confidence.
Left arm pacer Shoriful Islam had Ibrahim caught by Yasir Ali at the slip
for 19, ending the 45-run partnership.
Shahidi joined Rahmat and appeared to steady the innings but Taskin Ahmed
resisted, taking the wicket of Rahmat, who paid the price of an expensive
drive.
Mahmudullah Riyad then got rid of Shahidi who struck three fours and one
six for his 28.
At this phase, Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled 10 overs in a row in a measly
bowling effort, curbing the flamboyance of the Afghanistan batters.
Afghanistan got a hope to post a big total when Najibullah and Mohammad
Nabi got going well, handling the pumped-up Bangladeshi bowlers superbly.
They shared a 63 runs partnership off just 63 balls for the fifth wicket
before Taskin broke it with the wicket of Nabi who made 20.
Najibullah however brought his 13th ODI fifty off 70 balls, pushing a
delivery of Shakib towards square for a single.
He guided the lower order astutely to help the side propel past 200 and it
appeared Afghanistan would go past 200 runs with ease.
But Shakib gave them a setback with a double strike, taking the wickets of
Gulbadin Naib (17) and Rashid Khan for duck.
Shoriful however got the prized scalp of Najibullah to end Afghanistan's
hope of a big total before Mustafizur Rahman cleaned up the tail to finish
with 3-35.
Taskin, Shakib and Shoriful took two wickets apiece.
Mehidy Miraz though didn't take any wicket, he conceded just 28 runs in
his 10 overs to make the other bowlers task easier.
