Afghanistan secured a comfortable victory in the first One-Day International against Bangladesh, winning by 92 runs on Wednesday. The star of the show was Afghanistan’s 18-year-old spinner, Allah Ghazanfar, who recorded career-best figures of 6-26.
Ghazanfar’s impressive performance effectively dismantled Bangladesh’s middle and lower order. At one stage, Bangladesh seemed well-placed to chase down Afghanistan’s total of 235, reaching 132/3. However, Ghazanfar’s devastating spell saw them collapse to 143 all out.
Scorecard – AFG vs BAN, 1st ODI
Ghazanfar’s figures of 6-26 are now the best by any bowler in ODIs between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan‘s 5-29 in 2019.
The two teams will play the second and third ODIs, scheduled for November 9 and 11 in Sharjah.
Earlier in the match, Afghanistan found themselves struggling at 35/4 after opted to bat first. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (52) and the experienced Mohammad Nabi (84) steadied the innings with a crucial 104-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Despite their efforts, Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 235 in 49.4 overs. Bangladesh’s pace duo of Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman were the pick of the bowlers, both finishing with four wickets each.
Bangladesh’s reply began confidently, with opener Soumya Sarkar scoring 33. Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 47, while Mehidy Hasan contributed 28. However, the dismissal of Najmul by Nabi, with the score at 132, triggered a dramatic collapse.
Ghazanfar then took center stage, claiming the breakthrough in his fifth over by dismissing Mehidy. He followed that up by quickly dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim, Rishad Hossain, and Taskin Ahmed, effectively ending Bangladesh’s hopes.
Afghanistan skipper Shahidi was full of praise for the young spinner, saying, “He is a passionate youngster who always wants to do well.”
Najmul, on the other hand, felt his dismissal was the turning point in the match.
“I think my wicket turned the match,” said Najmul. “I was the set batsman so when I got out we needed to bat longer but credit to Afghanistan spinners for the way they bowled.”
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