Afghanistan Outplay Bangladesh in First ODI Match Marred by Rain

Afghanistan emerged victorious in the first match of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh on Wednesday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, reports UNB.

The visiting team secured a 17-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis (DL) method. The match was interrupted by rain multiple times, eventually ending during the 22nd over of Afghanistan's innings.

When Afghanistan was batting at 83 for two in pursuit of 164 runs in 43 overs, rain interrupted play and no further action was possible. Eventually, Afghanistan's revised target was set at 67 runs from 21.4 overs, but they had already surpassed that total, securing victory.

Taskin Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan claimed one wicket each for Bangladesh.

Earlier, during Bangladesh's innings, rain interrupted play on two occasions, resulting in a reduced match length of 43 overs per side.

The hosts struggled with their batting, as the openers managed only 30 runs in 6.5 overs. After Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Tamim Iqbal for 13, Bangladesh lost wickets rapidly.

Both Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan got off to good starts but failed to capitalize, getting out for 12 and 15 runs respectively.

The only positive for Bangladesh was the fighting half-century from Towhid Hridoy, who scored 51 runs off 69 balls.

Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz all returned with single-digit scores.

Farooqi claimed three wickets for 24 runs for Afghanistan, while spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan each took two wickets.

The second match of the Afghanistan vs. Bangladesh series will be played on July 8, while the third and final match is scheduled for July 11 at the same venue.