Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal was in awe of young batters Afif Hossain and Mehedi Hasan Miraz for their herculean effort against Afghanistan in the first ODI in Chittagong's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Wednesday.
An incredible display of nerve by the two Bangladesh batters saw the home team secure a four-wicket victory with seven balls remaining.
Bangladesh, who were put to chase 216 runs after losing the toss, were in dire straits losing six wickets with just 45 runs on the board in 11.2 overs.
Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi triggered the debacle dismissing two openers Tamim and Liton Das in one over before another double blow to remove Mushfiqur Rahim and debutant Yasir Ali.
Under the circumstances Bangladesh lost two more wickets – Shakib al Hasan to Mujeeb ur Rahman and then Mahmudullah to Rashid Khan to bring Afif and Miraz in the middle.
With a mammoth task to accomplish, expectations were low – it had become more important for Bangladesh to put a respectable total on the board.
However, Afif and Miraz pulled up an epochal effort to remain unbeaten on 93 and 81 runs respectively and take Bangladesh shore with a record unbroken 174 runs for the seventh wicket.
Tamim while speaking at the presentation following the game was honest and admitted the dressing room never believed the chase would be possible.
“Honestly, I did not believe we could win after 45/6. But I'm very proud and happy for the two [Afif and Miraz] for their incredible innings,” said Tamim.
Afif and Miraz with the effort registered history.
The 174-run stand is the highest for seventh wicket partnership for Bangladesh and also the eighth highest by runs for the country.
“Afghanistan have a brilliant attack but Miraz and Afif did well. Hopefully this is a start for them and they have many more amazing performances,” Tamim said.
With a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, Bangladesh will take on visitors Afghanistan at the same venue Friday in the second game.
