Rashid, Naib power Afghanistan to huge 136-run victory over Bangladesh

A late fifty by birthday boy Rashid Khan in a fine partnership with Gulbadin Naib, who later took two wickets apiece, has earned Afghanistan a huge 136-run victory over Bangladesh in their last Group B match of the Asia Cup.

Shakib Al Hasan top-scored for Bangladesh with 37 in another batting debacle in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The Tigers were reeling at 79 for five when Rashid picked Shakib up and Bangladesh lost two more wickets to cross 100 runs.

Bangladesh finally made 119 off 42.1 overs, chasing Afghanistan’s 255.

Rashid’s delivery beat Shakib completely for pace as the batsman went back but was a bit late to bring his bat down in the 24th over.

Bangladesh hoped for redemption through Mahmudullah (27), but again Rashid, who just turned 20, bowled the batsman with a googly that did not turn as much as expected.

Photo: ICC

Naib had Mominul Haque (9) caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad before disturbing the stumps of Mohammad Mithun (2). 

Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Aftab Alam had put pressure on the Tigers by sending the openers back early in the innings.

Mujeeb spoiled the One-Day International debut of opener Nazmul Hossain Shanto (7), who went for a big shot on the leg side but the ball took a thick outside edge and ballooned towards Aftab at point. 

Aftab then trapped the other opener, Liton Das (6), lbw with a sharp inswinger.   

Mujeeb finally sealed the victory by trapping Rubel Hossain (0) plumb on the front pad.

Mosaddek Hossain was not out on 26 off 60.

Earlier, when Nabi won elected to bat first, a low-scoring game appeared on the cards as Shakib snared four wickets after debutant Abu Hider Rony’s early double strike.

But Rashid (57) and Naib (42) had other idea and their unbeaten stand of 95 took the game out of Bangladesh's reach.

Abu Hider struck first in the second over of the match and the first over of his ODI bow with the wicket of Ihsanullah, caught by Mithun.

He clean-bowled his second victim Rahmat Shah in the sixth over.

Hashmatullah Shahidi put up some resistance with 58 before he was caught by wicketkeeper Liton off Rubel in the 38th over.

Shakib had snared the wickets of Mohammad Shahzad (37), Asghar Afghan (8) and Samiullah Shenwari (18) by the time.

When he sent back skipper Mohammad Nabi (10) with the fifth delivery of the 41st over, Afghanistan were tottering at 160 for seven and Bangladesh looked set to bundle them out for a few more runs.

Rashid then smashed the brilliant 57 off 32 balls with eight boundaries and one six to force the Tigers on the back foot.

Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was clubbed all around the park as he gave away 67 runs in his eight overs, but the other bowlers managed to keep their economy rates below six.

Bangladesh rested Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman, meaning Mominul Haque played his first ODI since 2015 and Abu Hider made his debut.

Injured Tamim Iqbal has returned home, making way for Shanto.

Bangladesh will play their first Super Four match against India in Dubai on Friday in a changed fixture that has drawn much flak.

Mashrafe on Wednesday expressed frustration over the change that has also made the match against Afghanistan meaningless.

The Afghans will also play their first Super Four match on Friday against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.