Clinical Afghanistan began the three-match T20I series against hapless Bangladesh with a convincing 45–run win at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, India Sunday.
Chasing 168 for victory, the Tigers were bundled out for 122 in 19 overs, opener Liton Das top-scoring with 30 in what was an undercooked performance by the Bangladesh batsmen.
Middle-order batsmen Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim chipped in with 29 and 20 respectively but none of the Bangladesh batters went on to bag a big score as the Afghans ran away with the game at the end.
Seamer Shapoor Zadran and spinner Rashid Khan bagged three wickets each while off-spinner Mohammad Nabi picked up two.
Earlier, the Bangladesh bowlers were smashed all around the park by the Afghanistan batsmen as the latter posted 167 runs on the board losing eight wickets in their stipulated 20 overs.
Bangladesh lost the first T20I against Afghanistan by 45 runs. #BANvAFG pic.twitter.com/3Aj5haZ3xZ
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) June 3, 2018
Visiting Bangladesh asked Afghanistan to bat first. The Tigers in the game went with three pacers, expecting to get help from the condition only to get thrashed by the authoritative Afghan batsmen.
Afghan openers Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani got the side off to a flying start as the duo added 62 before the latter was dismissed by right-arm pacer Rubel Hossain for 26.
In the first 10 overs, Afghanistan registered 72 for the loss of one wicket with Shahzad, along with captain Asghar Stanikzai, holding onto the momentum.
Shahzad ensured of maintaining the tempo as the wicketkeeper-batsman added 40 off 37 deliveries before Tigers skipper Shakib al Hasan removed him in the last ball of the 12th over. In the 14th over, right-arm spinner Mahmudullah initiated a double blow, removing middle-order batters Najibullah Zadran and Nabi in the second and fifth delivery.
Bangladesh were hit by a storm in the last four overs as the side conceded 67 runs. Rubel in the 17th over leaked 10 runs while in the next over, seamer Abu Jayed gave away 20 runs with No 6 batsman Samiullah Shenwari firing from all cylinders. Jayed removed Shinwari in the last ball of the over for 36 off 18 deliveries, including three boundaries and as many over-boundaries.
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 45 runs in the first T20I of Biman Bangladesh Airlines T20I series. #AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/2gXG16r41h
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 3, 2018
The last boost was provided by Shafiqullah as the right-handed batsman added 24 facing just eight deliveries. Abul Hasan finished with two wickets in the last over but those had come as gifts as the Bangladesh pacer went for 40 runs in three overs, including a six off the last ball of the innings by the hard-hitting Rashid.
1ST T20I
Bangladesh 122 in 19 overs (Liton 30, Rashid 3/13) lost to Afghanistan 167/8 (Shahzad 40, Mahmudullah 2/1) by 45 runs
