Afghan Bowlers Script 62-Run Win over Bangladesh in Warm-Up Match

Afghanistan bowlers put on an impressive show with the ball as they script a 62 run win over Bangladesh on Monday in the ICC World Cup Warm-up match. Chasing a total of 161, Bangladesh just managed to score 98 run for the loss of nine wickets in the match. Earlier, skipper Mohammad Nabi slammed a quickfire 41 off just 17 balls as he helped his team post 160 on board. After opting to bat first Afghanistan did a good job with the bat with Ibrahim Zadran top-scoring with the bat by scoring 46 off 39 balls.

Chasing a target of 161, Bangadesh openers Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidi Hasan Miraz got the team off to a flying start as they scores 18 runs in the first two overs. But it was Fazalhaq Fariiqui who provided the first breakthorugh as he dismissed Shanto with a delivery that crashed the stumps. Soon in the next over Soumya Sarkar was stumped off Mujeeb ur Rahman as Bangladesh were 24/2 by the end of 4 overs.

The collapse began soon as Farooqui came back to dismiss Bangladesh skipper Shakin al Hasan and Afif Hossain off successive deliveries and Yasir Ali too was dismissed in the next over as they were left tottering at 32/5. With hopes of a victory over, Bangladesh batters played for pride as they managed to prevent an all-out and scored just 98 for the loss of nine wickets at the end of 20 overs.

Afghanistan’s vast improvement was clearly visible during their deep run into the Asia Cup in UAE. The side made it into the Super Four stage after a dominant showing in the group stage, all the while playing a fierce brand of cricket. Big victories against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will give them confidence that they can now beat the best sides, while they also lost against Pakistan by the finest of margins.

The Tigers have moved on from some senior players in favour of an aggressive strategy based on multiple all-rounders. A dismal showing in the Asia Cup prompted the change of approach, which makes Bangladesh dangerously unpredictable.

T20 World Cup: Squads

Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Qais Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Salim Safi, Usman Ghani. Standby Players: Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Nurul Hasan, Afif Hossain, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Litton Das, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shoriful Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Musaddek Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Yasir Ali Chowdhury. Reserves: Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin._Agencies