Abu Dhabi: Leg-spinner Rashid Khan (57 n o, 32b, 8×4, 1×6) and Gulbadin Naib (42 n o, 38b, 5×4) helped Afghanistan post a competitive total after their top and middle order failed to fire against Bangladesh in the last group match of the Asia Cup here, Thursday.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Afghanistan were reduced to 160/7 in the 41st over before Rashid, who scored his third ODI half century, and Naib taking their side’s score past 250-run mark. Most importantly, they added 95 runs in last nine overs.
Earlier, Mohammed Shahzad (37, 47b, 4×4) started off well after losing his opening partner Ihsanullah (8) early on to debutant Abu Hider (2/50). The Afghans were reduced to 28/2 after Hider dismissed Rahmat Shah (10).
Shahzad, along with Hashmatullah Shahidi (58, 92b, 3×4), tried to make amends playing watchful cricket before Shakib Al Hasan (4/42) came into play by dismissing the opener in the 20th over.
Shahidi then kept losing out on partners at the other end at regular intervals as the Afghans were reduced to 139/5. Shahidi too departed shortly off Rubel Hossain (1/32) before Shakib dismissed Mohammed Nabi (10) to make Afghanistan totter at 160/7.
It was looking like Afghanistan would not be able to reach 200, but Rashid and Naib started dominating the bowlers with attacking play which helped them post a challenging total.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 255/7 (Hashmatullah Shahidi 58, Rashid Khan 57 n o, Gulbadin Naib 42 n o; Shakib Al Hasan 4/42) vs Bangladesh. Match to continue.