Bangladesh displayed their dominance by securing a convincing six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Dharamsala.
Afghanistan, batting first, struggled to find their footing and were bundled out for 156 runs in 37.2 overs. Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as the star performer, contributing with both bat and ball. He took three crucial wickets and crafted a composed innings of 57 runs from 73 balls. His innings was a testament to resilience, surviving two early chances as Afghanistan’s fielders faltered.
Najmul Hossain Shanto joined forces with Mehidy, remaining unbeaten with a commendable 59 runs from 83 balls. Together, they steered Bangladesh towards a comfortable victory, wrapping up the chase with 15.2 overs to spare.
Afghanistan’s innings had a promising start with Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz stitching together a 47-run partnership for the opening wicket. However, Shakib Al Hasan’s brilliance shattered their hopes as he took crucial wickets, including that of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued to make an impact by dismissing skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, further undermining Afghanistan’s position. Mustafizur Rahman also made his presence felt by dismissing Gurbaz for 47 runs.
As the innings progressed, Shakib removed Najibullah Zadran and Taskin Ahmed dismissed Mohammad Nabi, leaving Afghanistan with a modest total. Azmatullah Omarzai’s late contributions added some respectability to their score, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Bangladesh’s prowess.
The opening match of the World Cup showcased Bangladesh’s strength and depth, setting a promising tone for their campaign. As the tournament unfolds, cricket enthusiasts can expect more captivating performances and thrilling encounters.
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Source: ICC Cricket
