Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 3 runs and keeps their Asia Cup final hope alive

In Super Four round of the 2018 Asia Cup, Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by three runs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (September 23) and with this victory, they kept their hope of playing in the tournament final alive.

Bangladeshi left-arm fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, played the most crucial role. Because of his brilliant last over bowling, Bangladesh could win the match in the end. The Afghans were in need of eight runs to win the match and eventually kept them in the tournament, but Mustafiz gave only four runs. As a result, Afghanistan’s innings ended in 246 for 7 in 50 overs. 

For Afghanistan, Mohammad Shahzad and Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 53 and 71 runs respectively. It was Shahidi’s third consecutive fifty. He along with Mohammad Shahzad added 63 runs for the third wicket stand and then 78 runs with skipper Asghar Afghan in the fourth wicket.

Despite losing these three wickets, Afghanistan looked set for a victory as they required just 58 runs with five wickets left at hand. However, the rest of the players like Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Rashid Khan and Gulbadan Naib tried hard to lead their team to victory, but because of Bangladeshi bowlers, their attempt failed.

For Bangladesh, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman took two wickets apiece while Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah took one wicket each.

Coming to bat first, Bangladesh scored 249 runs for 7 in their stipulated overs. The Tigers could put on this competitive score riding on two fifties from Mahmudullah and Imrul Kayes. These two players also made a 128-run partnership in the sixth wicket stand. Mahmudullah scored 74 runs off 81 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Imrul played an unbeaten innings of 72 facing 89 balls. He hit six fours in his innings. With this performance, he showed the management that not selecting him in the squad was a wrong decision.

Opener Liton Das was just 9 runs short from his maiden half century, but his 41-run innings saved Bangladesh from a disaster after losing two early wickets of Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mohammad Mithun within 6 overs. However, Liton Das made a 63-run partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim in the third wicket stand. Bangladesh innings could have been bigger if Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan were not run out.

For Afghanistan, Aftab Alam claimed three wickets while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan took one wicket each.

Mahmudullah was named the Player of the Match for his match saving innings and the valuable wicket of Shahzad.

Scorecard- http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8532/scorecard/1153252/afghanistan-vs-bangladesh-4th-match-super-four-asia-cup-2018-19

Source-

https://bdnews24.com/cricket/2018/09/23/bangladesh-lose-shanto-mithun

Asia Cup 2018: Afghanistan picks up three new players in the 17-man squad

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2018 that will start from September 15 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Three new players- Sayed Sherzad, Munir Ahmad and Wafadar Momand- were called in the squad. Of them, Sherzad and Wafadar had the opportunity to put on the national team jersey in Twenty20I and Test cricket respectively. On the other hand, Munir Ahmad is yet to make debut in any format of the game. 

The reason behind taking both Sherzad and Wafadar was to bolster the pace attack. Wafadar, the 18-year-old fast bowler, impressed with his performance in Afghanistan’s maiden Test match against India earlier this year. The 23-year-old left-arm pacer, Sherzad, has so far played three T20Is.

The main strength of the Afghanistan cricket team is their spin trio- Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. No doubt, they will play a vital role on the tricky Asian tracks.

Veteran cricketer Dawlat Zadran failed to make his place in the squad. He was a member of the squad that won the ODI series 2-1 in Ireland recently. Despite being experienced player, he could not make it to the playing XI in any of the three ODIs on the tour.

Afghanistan will face Sri Lanka in their first match in Asia Cup campaign on September 17.

Squad: Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Ihsanullah Janat, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmat Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Aftab Alam, Samiullah Shinwari, Munir Ahmad Kakar (wk), Sayed Ahmad Sherzad, Sharafudin Ashraf, Wafadar.