A batting meltdown after a strong start saw Bangladesh suffer a 92-run defeat to Afghanistan in the three-match One Day International series opener at Sharjah Stadium in the United Arab Emirates Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, the Afghans recovered from 71/5 to post 235 before being all out.
Unlike their top-order collapse in the recent Test series, Bangladesh this time were found wanting following a good start.
They appeared well on course towards an effortless victory after reaching 120/2, but thereafter tasted a sensational collapse that saw them lose eight wickets for 23 runs.
The Tigers, as they are adorably called, were eventually bundled out for a meager 143 in 34.3 overs.
The 18-year old off-spinner AM Ghazanfar spun webs around Bangladesh batters, claiming career-best 6/26, including three in an over that sparked the slide.
Ghazanfar provided the first breakthrough in just the fourth over of Bangladesh's chase, cleaning up opener Tanzid Hasan’s defence for three.
Skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar kept the side in the hunt, sharing 53 runs for the second wicket.
It was broken when Azmatullah Omarzai had Soumya caught by Fazalhaq Farooqi after he scored 33 off 45 with half a dozen fours.
But Shanto found support in Mehedi Hasan Miraz and looked to take their side over the line, batting with unwavering resolve.
As Shanto approached his own half-century, the Afghans got the most crucial wicket through veteran Mohammad Nabi as he sent back the Bangladesh captain for 47 after he added 55 with Miraz for the third wicket stand.
And his dismissal led to a horrific collapse that Bangladesh could never have envisaged in their wild imagination.
Ghazanfar kick-started it all, claiming the wicket of Miraz for 28 and then Rashid Khan rattled the stumps of veteran Mahmudullah for two.
The young spinner then took three wickets in an over, including Mushfiqur Rahim (one) to complete his maiden five-for.
He fittingly wrapped up Bangladesh’s innings, cleaning up Shoriful Islam.
Earlier, half-centuries from Nabi and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi helped Afghanistan recover from a shaky start.
Nabi hammered team-best 79-ball 84, smashing fours and three sixes, while Shahidi scored a patient 52 off 92, an innings that included only two boundaries.
The duo stitched together 104 for the sixth wicket partnership after Afghanistan were reduced to a precarious 71/5 in the 20th over.
Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed (4/53) and Mustafizur Rahman (4/58) snared eight wickets between them.
Their disciplined bowling had Afghanistan wobbling at 35/4 after Shahidi won the toss and batted first.
Taskin struck in the second over, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for five before Mustafizur joined the party with the wicket of Rahmat Shah (two).
The Fizz then put Afghans into deeper trouble with the double strike that accounted for Sediqullah Atal (21) and Omarzai (nought).
Shahidi and Gulbadin Naib appeared to have settled things down before Taskin came back with a bang to dismiss the latter for 22, ending a 36-run association.
As Bangladesh were looking to open up the Afghan lower-order, resistance came from Nabi who counterattacked in style to leave Bangladesh bowlers in disarray.
With Shahidi playing patiently, Nabi took the bowlers to task and luck was also with him due to the sloppy Bangladeshi fielders.
The 38-year old Mahmudullah's slow approach on the field, common sight these days, helped Nabi survive at least twice.
Mustafizur however, broke the partnership, getting rid of Shahidi just after he reached his 22nd ODI fifty.
Nabi raised his 17th half-century off 52 balls and grew in confidence but Taskin had him caught by Tanzid, denting his hopes of getting his third century.
Nangeyalia Kharote scored 27 not out to give the finishing touch.
The second and penultimate ODI is scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.
1ST ODI
Afghanistan 235 in 49.4 overs (Nabi 84, Taskin 4/53) beat Bangladesh 143 in 34.3 overs (Shanto 47, Ghazanfar 6/26) by 92 runs
