Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan, Asia Cup ODI: Scorecard and Report
Afghanistan recorded a remarkable 32-run victory over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in Fatullah.
The Afghans were sent to victory with a magnificent batting spell from Samiullah Shenwari and Asghar Stanikzai, who hit 107 runs from 10 overs after the associate nation had earlier been reduced to 90-5.
| 254/6 | 222 all out |
| Asghar Stanikzai (90 not out) | Mominul Haque (50) |
| Samiullah Shenwari (80) | Nasir Hossain (41) |
Peppered by a strong Afghan bowling attack, Bangladesh never really looked like they would challenge Afghanistan's target of 255.
And Bangladesh were squeezed out of the game, dismissed for 222, Mohammad Nabi taking the decisive wicket.
The win marked Afghanistan's first ODI victory against a Test-playing nation, another landmark as their rise in the game continues, as CricketNDTV tweeted:
Afghanistan had got off to a slow start when they were put in to bat first, slipping to 90 for 5. But it was Shenwari and Stanikzai's arrival at the crease that changed the complexion of the game.
Stanikzai, who hails from Kabul, and Shenwari, hit 90 not out and 81 respectively as they helped their side set a target of 255 for Bangladesh.
The partnership swept aside the Bangladeshi bowling attack, plundering 107 runs from the last 10 overs. Shenwari was only dismissed on the penultimate ball of the innings when he was run out.
Afghanistan made a dazzling start with the ball as they reduced Bangladesh to 1-2. Anamul Haque was removed by Hamid Hassan, and Shapoor Zadran bowled Shamsur Rahman for a duck.
It was an authoritative start for the Afghan minnows, but Bangladesh duly dug in. Mominul Haque reached 50 before he was dismissed by Shenwari, and then the game swung away once more.
Three wickets in three balls, including a catastrophic run out for Abdur Razzak, all but settled the game, with Bangladesh tottering at 165-8.
Nasir Hossain and Naeem Islam added 41 and 35 respectively for the Bangladeshi cause, but in truth, they were never threatening to accumulate quickly enough.
Despite further resistance from Ziaur Rahman, who hit 41, the game was all but up.
Rubel Hossain in the Bangladesh tail end tried to edge his side forward as he scored 17, but he was dismissed by Mohammad Nabi in the 48th over to give an historic victory for Afghanistan.
The victory sends Afghanistan above Bangladesh in the Asia Cup standing into fourth place behind India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Afghanistan face Sri Lanka on Monday 1 March, with Bangladesh playing Pakistan a day later.
