Cricket Highlights, 09 July: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (2nd ODI)

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (2nd ODI)

Hosts Bangladesh seemingly surrendered helplessly in the second ODI of the series against the visiting Afghanistan bowlers. Along with that, the visitors confirmed the ODI series of the match with one match in hand.

Afghanistan succeded by a huge margin of 142 runs at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday (July 8). This is the Afghans’ highest margin of victory against the Tigers. The previous biggest win was in the 2018 Asia Cup by 136 runs.

Chasing the big target of 332 runs set by the Afghans, the Tigers’ innings ended after scoring 189 runs in 43.2 overs. The last batsman Ebadot Hossain did not come down to bat due to an injury while bowling. After winning by 17 runs in the first ODI by the D/L method, the Afghans won the ODI series against the Tigers for the first time by winning the second match by 142 runs with one match in hand.  

Chasing a big target, the Tigers showed a glimpse of defeat before the start of the fight. The hosts lost the first 6 wickets to score only 72 runs. Interim Tiger captain Litton Das was dismissed in the fifth over of the innings. He returned to the dressing room with a personal 13 runs. Litton could not play Fazalhaq Farooqi’s short-length ball properly. He stroked the ball over his head, and Mohammad Nabi caught it within 30 yards. Bangladesh’s team score was 15 runs then.

Litton hit 3 fours to make 13 runs. After he departed, Najmul Hossain Shanto came to play at one down as usual. He is one of the most trusted symbols of the Bangladesh team in recent times. But on this day, this batter could not become the hope of the team. He was bowled by Mujeeb in the over. He scored a run off 5 balls.  

Mohammad Naim was called up to the XI for the second ODI mainly due to Tamim Iqbal’s retirement. But he could not reciprocate when he got the opportunity. Naim, who could not score any runs in the first over of the innings, left the field after being bowled by Farooqi. He scored 9 runs off 21 balls.

Bangladesh was under a lot of pressure after losing 3 wickets to collect just 25 runs. Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy started to handle that pressure slowly. Shakib was playing in an ODI mood, but Hridoy was accompanying him playing slowly. But he failed to understand Rashid Khan’s googly at the team’s 65 runs and got bowled. Hridoy scored 16 runs off 34 balls.

Shakib made his way back to the pavilion after Hridoy was out. He lost his wicket after being caught LBW by Nabi. 25 runs from 29 balls came from Shakib’s bat. Afif Hossain came to the crease and could not play more than one ball. He was also uprooted by Rashid Khan. Afif gave away a catch to Nabi, who was standing at slip.  

Then Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried to take control of the team with Mushfiqur Rahim on the seventh wicket. The pair of 87 runs relieved Bangladesh of some pressure. But Mehidy could not advance the team far. He was caught by Rahmat Shah scoring 25 runs off 48 balls, he was trying to hit Mujeeb for a 6 over wide long-on.

On the other hand, playing the 250th match of his ODI career, Mushfiq picked up his 45th fifty. His fighting innings only narrowed the margin of defeat. Mushfiq returned to the pavilion with personal innings of 69 runs. 6 fours came from his bat in 85 balls. Bangladesh’s innings also stopped with his out. Farooqi and Mujeeb scalped the maximum number of 3 wickets each for Afghans. Besides, Rashid got 2 wickets and Nabi got 1 wicket.

On this day, Afghanistan went to bat first and collected 331 runs after losing 9 wickets at the end of the scheduled 50 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran built a strong foundation for Afghans in the opening pair. 256 runs came from their pair. This is the highest-run partnership for any wicket in Afghanistan’s ODI history. Gurbaz scored a career-best 145 off 125 balls smashing 13 fours and 8 sixes.

On the other hand, Ibrahim scored 100 runs off 119 balls with 9 fours and 1 six before getting out. However, the rest of the batter could not aid much. Nabi stood unbeaten with 25 runs off 15 balls. Among the Tiger bowlers, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shakib, and Mehidy took 2 wickets each. Besides, Ebadot took 1 wicket.

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Scoreboard

Afghanistan – 331/9 (50.0)

Bangladesh – 189/10 (43.2)

Result – Afghanistan won by 142 runs

Player of the match – Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Playing Xis