Bangladesh 252 for 7 (Shanto 76, Jakir 37*, Kharot 3-28) beat Afghanistan 184 (Rahmat 52, Nasom 3-28, Mehidi 2-37) by 68 runs.
First, Afghanistan’s four-rounder finished with combined figures of 38-0-144-7. The Bangladesh trio responded with 21.3-2-72-5. But while Afghanistan’s fast bowlers bowled 12 overs for 108 runs without a single wicket, Bangladesh’s fast bowlers were more clinical with four wickets in 22 overs, which went for just 111 runs. And that was the difference in the end as Afghanistan fell short by 68 points in their quest to achieve the target. 253 and Bangladesh tied the three-match series with one game to play.
Bangladesh’s win was sealed by captain Najm Hossain Shanto’s 76. When Shanto fell on his 119th ball in the 41st over of the first innings, his innings seemed to be very slow. But the value of his runs was evident as Afghanistan’s players struggled to get going, citing the fact that batting was not easy on Sharjah’s slow and used surface. Six of Afghanistan’s top eight sides scored at least 14 runs, but only one managed to go on to score a half-century. Rahmat Shah’s 76-ball 52 remained the highest. Afghanistan’s chase for 253 balls began in a composed manner. The Bangladesh pacer started with tight lines and lengths with the new ball swinging, but their first two breakthroughs were down to some brilliant catches. Soumya Sarkar saw the ball rush to him at wide slip for Rahmanullah Gurbaz to catch on to Maskin Ahmed, while Mehdi Hasan Miraz – at square leg – jumped and snatched a single to send Siddiqullah Atal back off Nasum Ahmed’s first ball.
Atal departed for 39, ending a 52-run second-wicket partnership with Rahmat, but his dismissal began a series in which Nasom and Mahmudullah man-marked Afghanistan, conceding just 19 runs across the next seven overs.
Mehdi took over captaincy duties after Shanto had to leave the field due to a hand injury, and brought himself back to bowl on the 24th. Just one over the halfway mark, Afghanistan were six runs past their required rate, and the slide began in the 29th over.
Mustafizur Rahman caught Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi at good leg for a 40-ball 17, and then Nasum bowled Uzmatullah Omarzai for his second duck of the series with a beautiful ball that turned wide to hit the off-stump. Three balls later, Rahmat paid the price for a mix-up with Gulbuddin Naib, who pushed one to cover and connected. With the deputy fielder watching, Rahmat was halfway down the field, and eventually they both ended up running towards Jakir Ali, the new wicket-keeper. Jakir, who was playing in place of the injured Mushfiqur Rahim, threw the ball to Nasom at the other end and Rahmat was short.
Thus, Afghanistan lost three wickets in the space of six deliveries, and although Naib swung his bat to take an entertaining 26, and added 44 runs for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Nabi, his dismissal left the rest with much to do. They lost their last five wickets for just 21 runs and bowled out for 184 in 43.4 overs.
This batting performance made Shantou’s half-centuries and Jacker’s killer knocks look even better. Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hassan early in the afternoon, but Shanto and Soumya rallied. Despite Shanto slowing down after the powerplay, Bangladesh made 82 in 14 overs.
However, it took 23 more overs to get another 82 for Bangladesh, despite losing only two wickets in that period. All four Afghan players – Rashid, Nabi, Nanjialia Kharot and M Ghazanfar – played during that phase, conceding only two, four and six goals.
Rashid broke the 71-run second wicket partnership between Shanto and Soumya when he trapped the final lbw. Sumaya, 35, did not return the ball despite advice, and later watched replays showing the ball had been thrown out of line.
In all, Shanto took 75 balls to reach his half-century, which he completed in the mid-28th century. Both Mehidi and Shanto struggled to keep the Afghan spinners away, and were forced to rely on their runs between the wickets amid a slew of scores. On the 32nd, Shanto was given lbw in 55 off Ghazanfar, but reviewed and overturned the decision.
But Rashid broke the 53-run stand when he cleaned up Mehidi with a googly next over. With 12 overs to go and Bangladesh on 174, Bangladesh were on course for a strong finish but with Shanto sluggish but Kharut scored three runs in the next three overs to reduce their cause. Towhid Hridoy, Shanto and Mahmudullah departed in quick succession.
But Jakir and Som ensured that Bangladesh would achieve a competitive result. The last six overs were taken for 60 runs, with Nasum starting the fun with a grueling sweep for a six off Kharot. As Afghanistan turned into speed in the 47th over, Jakir hit Fazlul Haq Faruqi for six successive overs, with one landing over the surface behind deep midwicket. Nasum hit 25 points slightly better than running the ball, while Jaker put in the finishing touch. The newcomer ensured that Bangladesh crossed 250.
Himanshu Agrawal is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
