Rashid, Mujeeb spin Afghanistan to win against Tigers

Afghanistan spinners caught Bangladesh in spin-web to script a 17-run win through DLS method in the three-match ODI series opener on Wednesday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, reports BSS. 

The match was hit by rain several times before DLS eventually decided the result. The rain intervened twice as Bangladesh sent to bat first.

After the game was reduced to 43 overs, Bangladesh were able to put up 169-9 and Afghanistan's target was set 164 in 43 overs through DLS. 

However as they reached 83-2 in 21.4 overs, the rain again halted the game. Afghanistan which was 17 runs ahead through DLS, was eventually declared winner as the rain continued to fall in the port city.

Ibrahim Zadran was not out 41 off 58, hitting five fours. He and Rahmanullah Gurbaz kept Afghanistan ahead with 54-run first wicket partnership. Shakib broke the partnership, dismissing Gurbaz for 22 and then Taskin Ahmed got the better of Rahman Shah for 8.

Before rain arrived, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was on 9 with Zadran.

Earlier, Towhid Hridoy hit his third half-century as Bangladesh put up a mediocre total.

Hridoy was the only one to stand tall amid the batting debacle, enforced by the Afghanistan bowlers, hitting 51off 69 with three boundaries. Liton Das was the other notable scorer with 26.

Afghan pacer FazalHaq Farooqi claimed 3-24 and was complemented by the measly bowling effort of two spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who both scalped two wickets apiece, conceding 21 and 23 runs respectively in nine overs.

Farooqi struck early with captain Tamim Iqbal edging a delivery behind the wicket after Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi put Bangladesh into bat first under overcast condition.

Farooqi swung the ball expertly to keep Bangladesh batters on toes but inform Najmul Hossain Shanto started with flurries of boundaries as Bangladesh appeared to hit back.

While Farooqi kept it tight, Shanto and Liton dealt with debutant Saleem Safi with ease but the introduction of the spinners brought success for the Afghans.

Offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed the wicket of Liton who pulled it straight to deep-backward square while Shanto perished to sweep shot for 12.

Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy resisted after the rain halted the game for the first time. They looked to rebuild the innings with utmost confidence but the rain-brake seemed to damage the concentration.

A half-hearted cover drive of Shakib led his dismissal after scoring 15 off 38 deliveries with Bangladesh at 109-4.

Rashid Khan then appeared in the stage, removing Mushfiqur Rahim (1) and Afif Hossain (4) in quick succession to leave Bangladesh in tattering 128-6.

Onus was on Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hridoy to bail the side out of danger but Farooqi came back in his second spell to get rid of Mriaz for 5.

The rain then intervened the game for the second time and reduced it to 43 overs.

After the rain-break, Hridoy clipped Farooqi towards long-on for two to reach his third half-century off 67 balls. But two balls later, Farooqi dismissed him to take the revenge.

The lower order batters failed to hit any big shot, meaning Bangladesh had to content with below par total.