Afif, Mehidy script stunning victory

Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz played the innings of their life as Bangladesh recovered from a precarious 45-6 to script a stunning four-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first of three-match one-day International series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Both of them hit their career-best knock in the process to frustrate Afghanistan. Afif hit an unbeaten 93 off 115, clobbering 11 fours and one six and Miraz was not out on 81 after hitting nine fours in his 120-ball knock.

They combined for a 174-run partnership, which was Bangladesh’s best for the seventh and second-best in ODI cricket history, behind 177 by England’s Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid against New Zealand in 2015.

Their wavering resolve in the partnership helped Bangladesh race to the victory with seven balls to spare with 219-6 after Afghanistan were bowled out for 215 in 49.1 overs.

Playing his only second ODI, pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi left Bangladesh 18-4 as Afghanistan appeared to have closed the game.

Farooqi struck twice in his only second over, dismissing Liton Das and captain Tamim Iqbal and on both occasions, he reviewed successfully to overturn the umpire’s decision.

In his third over, he again gave Bangladesh a double blow, this time with the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim, who reviewed in vain and uprooted the stump of Yasir Ali, who got duck on his debut.

Mujeeb took the wicket of Shakib (10) who was the only one amongst the top six of Bangladesh to reach a double-digit figure.

Rashid Khan claimed the wicket of Mahmudullah then with a half-tracker, edging Afghanistan closer to its seventh straight ODI victory.

But Afif and Miraz rose on the occasion when it mattered most. Their strategy to play with caution and aggression served them well and frustrated Afghanistan to a great degree.

Earlier, Tigers bundled the visitors out for 215 in 49.1 overs. Najibullah Zadran is the highest run-getter for Afghanistan with 84-ball 67.

Electing to bat first, no Afghanistan batter can settle down in the pitch against the Bangladeshi bowlers.

Mustafizur Rahman picked up three wickets while Shakib Al Hasan, Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed claimed two for each.

ARR