Cricket World Cup 2015 Notepad: Top Shot, Delivery, Catch and More from Day 5
It was an historic day at the 2015 World Cup on Wednesday, as Afghanistan made their debut in the global tournament against Bangladesh at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
It was an enthusiastically supported affair in the Australian capital, with a vibrant crowd making for an impressive atmosphere in a match that featured two of the world's smaller cricketing nations playing a great distance from home.
Afforded a chance to settle into their maiden World Cup appearance in the field when Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat, the Afghanis put together a polished display with the ball in the early overs.
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With the wickets of Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque in quick succession, the underdogs put the brakes on the batting side, who laboured to 52 for two in the opening 17 overs.
Another pair of quick wickets a little later reduced Bangladesh to 119 for four with only 20 overs remaining.
But a strong partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim hauled the Tigers away from danger, with a trio of late fours from Mashrafe Mortaza pushing the total to 267.
In response, it all unraveled rather quickly for Afghanistan, who lost Javed Ahmadi, Afsar Zazai and Asghar Stanikzai inside three overs to collapse to three for three.
Aided by Samiullah Shenwari, captain Mohammad Nabi helped the Afghanis avoid a thrashing with a well-constructed 44, but in their World Cup debut, the men in blue fell 105 runs short as they were bowled out for 162 in the 43rd over.
Shot of the Day
One of the most stimulating aspects of powerful hitting in the modern game is the cracking sound that is made when a truly lusty blow is struck.
That was the case for Bangladesh's Mushfiqur on Wednesday, whose glorious strike off the bowling Aftab Alam in the 41st over had that sound.
Instantly, you knew what the result would be: six.
Over the fence it went.
In an impressive innings that earned the right-hander the Man of the Match award, it was undoubtedly the highlight.
Delivery of the Day
There's a reason why left-arm finger-spinners often go around the wicket when bowling to left-handers. And why right-arm off-spinners do the same to right-handers: it brings lbw into play.
When bowling over the wicket and spinning the ball into the batsmen, it's extremely difficult to hit the pads in line as well as convincing the umpire the ball will eventually hit the stumps.
But that's what Shakib Al Hasan did on Wednesday.
With a beautifully flighted delivery, Bangladesh's trump card caught the left-handed Najibullah Zadran on the crease with a ball that dipped and spun sharply.
Catching the front pad, a strong appeal from the left-armer was rewarded, before the Decision Review System confirmed the umpire's call after a referral.
Catch of the Day
Rubel Hossain's catch to dismiss Afghanistan's Nawroz Mangal on Wednesday was a fine effort, as the Bangladeshi fielder made good ground to his left before taking a diving catch above his head near the boundary.
Though the chasing side hadn't looked threatening, the dismissal halted a steadily growing partnership and strengthened the Tigers grip on the match.
Reaction
Pool A
| New Zealand | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +2.624 |
| Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +2.220 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +2.100 |
| Sri Lanka | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.960 |
| Afghanistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2.100 |
| England | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2.220 |
| Scotland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3.039 |
Thursday's Schedule
Thursday's World Cup action will see the United Arab Emirates take on Zimbabwe at the Saxton Oval in Nelson.
In a strong Pool B, the encounter is critical for both sides if they harbour any hopes of claiming one of the four qualifications spots in a group that includes South Africa, India, Pakistan, the West Indies and a fast-starting Ireland outfit.
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