All-round Bangladesh stops Afghanistan seven short

Taskin Ahmed made an excellent comeback to international cricket when he claimed four wickets to help Bangladesh pull off a seven-run win against Afghanistan in their first One-Day International at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday (September 25).

Replying to Bangladesh’s 265, Afghanistan was well in control when Rahmat Shah (71 in 93 balls) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (72 in 110 balls) put on a solid 144 runs for the third wicket.

Shakib Al Hasan (2-26) broke the stand before Bangladesh clawed its way back to dismiss Afghanistan for 258 off the last ball of the match.

Taskin, who was cleared by the International Cricket Council to bowl in international cricket just two days ago, held his nerve in the final over, when Afghanistan needed 13 runs, and the visiting side, which lost its last six wickets for just 28 runs, could manage just five.

In the first half, after Bangladesh opted to bat, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah struck half-centuries to guide it to a respectable total. They suffered a blow in the first over when Dawlat Zadran dismissed Soumya Sarkar for a duck, but the top order soon regained the initiative.

Tamim struck nine fours in his 80 (98 balls) and put on 83 with Imrul Kayes (37 in 53 balls) for the second wicket and then another 79 with Mahmudullah for the third wicket before being dismissed by Mirwais Ashraf. Mahmudullah scored 62 off 74 balls and looked poised for a big innings after reaching his half-century with a boundary off Dawlat Zadran. Mohammad Nabi, however, removed him when Ashraf took a good diving catch at backward square-leg.

Afghanistan came back when Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman fell cheaply, but Shakib ensured Bangladesh did not lose its way with 48 in 40 balls.

Dawlat claimed four wickets for 73 while Nabi and Rashid Khan grabbed two wickets each for Afghanistan.

The second and third matches will be held at the same venue on September 28 and October 1.

For full scorecard of the match, click here.