Dharamshala: Exceptional performances in all three departments helped Bangladesh to a win over Afghanistan in their opening ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 encounter in Dharamsala.
An inspired performance with the ball saw Bangladesh bowl out Afghanistan for just 156 and that total was never going to be enough as Shakib Al Hasan’s side cruised to victory in the 35th over.
After being rattled early on in their innings, Bangladesh managed to gain ascendancy in their contest against Afghanistan in Dharamsala.
They were assisted by some errors made by Afghanistan fielders.
Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers showed top form against Afghanistan and bowled out their Asian rivals for 156. Shakib Al Hasan (3/30), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3/25), and Shoriful Islam (2/34) starred with the ball.
Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored for Afghanistan with 47, but he received little support from his teammates.
Defending a modest target of 157, Afghanistan got the near perfect start at the back of some sharp work in the field. A direct hit from Najibullah Zadran caught Tanzid Hasan (5) short of his ground in the fifth over. A couple of overs later, Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled Litton Das.
Afghanistan missed out on a close third chance, when Mehidy Hasan Miraz was dropped off the bowling of Farooqi. This, and another drop off his bat in the 12th over, helped Mehidy to get his groove in and take the Bangladesh innings ahead.
The all-rounder had struck four out of seven boundaries for his side by the 20 over mark. He added 97 runs for the third wicket with Najmul Hossain Shanto. His knock of 57 finally came to an end courtesy a brilliant one-handed take from Rahmat Shah at mid-off.
However, Bangladesh were already far ahead in the game at this stage. Shanto reached his half-century in the 34th over and his side packed up the game in the 35th over.