Bangladesh had yet another batting collapse as they suffered a massive 92-run defeat in the three-match ODI series opener against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest target of 236, Bangladesh were going strong at 120/2 after 25 overs.
Since then, they lost eight wickets for 23 runs and were eventually bundled out for 143. More precisely, the visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 11 runs.
Skipper Najmul Hossain and Mehidy Hasan, who was promoted to number four on the day, were sailing along nicely, adding 55 runs for the third wicket before Najmul departed for 47 playing an ill-advised sweep shot. Mehidy (28) then departed after a few overs and the rest of the wickets of the visitors fell like a house of cards.
Mahmudullah (2), Mushfiqur Rahim (1), Towhid Hridoy (11) all failed to show any kind of resilience in the middle.
Afghanistan’s Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar picked up his maiden five wicket haul in ODIs as the spinner ripped through the Bangladesh batting order to cause a dramatic turnaround in the match. He picked up six wickets for 26 runs.
Ghazanfar was accompanied well by Rashid Khan who picked up two wickets. Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai picked up a wicket each.
Earlier, Afghanistan rode on Mohammad Nabi and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi’s fifties to post 235.
Bangladesh pacers Taskin Ahmed (4/53) and Mustafizur Rahman (4/58) took four wickets apiece, while Shoriful Islam scalped one.
Electing to bat first, Afghans were in all sorts of trouble as they were reduced to 71/5 in 20 overs.
The next two ODIs are slated for November 9 and 11 respectively.
bd-pratidin/GR
