New Delhi: Fighting half-centuries skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi rescued Afghanistan from a precarious position in the first ODI against Bangladesh at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Afghanistan were handed early blows after Shahidi had opted to bat first as Taskin Ahmed and Mustafiz Rahman ran riot with the new ball to destroy the top order.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Sediqullah Atal, and Azmatullah Omarzai were all dismissed inside the first 10 overs with Rahman picking up three of the four wickets in the powerplay.
Shahdi joined hands with Gulbadin Naib to stop the collapse, adding 36 runs for the fifth wicket. Taskin returned to dismiss Naib before Shahidi and Nabi stitched a magnificent partnership to rescue the faltering Afghans.
Mohammad Nabi and Hashmatullah Shahidi stabilised the Afghanistan innings after early wickets in the first ODI against Bangladesh.
📝: #AFGvBAN : |📸: @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/oqdVu2t1hC— ICC (@ICC) November 6, 2024
Witness, Nabi rescue Afghanistan
The duo added 104 runs in 122 balls to help Afghanistan cross the 200-run mark. Shahidi was dismissed for 52 by Mustafizur but Nabi continued to frustrate the Bangladeshis, scoring 84 runs before being dismissed in the 48th over. Shahidi, Nabi and Nangeyalia Kharote, who played a 27-run cameo down the order helped the hosts reach a respectable total of 235.
Earlier, Afghanistan handed a debut to left-hand opening batter Sediqullah Atal, the breakout star at the recently concluded ACC Emerging Asia Cup. Atal replaced regular opener Ibrahim Zadran, who was ruled out due to an ankle injury. The home side picked four spin-bowling options in their side including Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Mohammad Nabi and AM Ghazanfar.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was picked as the only frontline pacer, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib to provide support.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh came into the match sans the services of Shakib Al Hasan, who has reportedly opted out of the series. Seasoned wicket-keeper Litton Das was ruled out due to a fever while Tanzim Hasan missed the match because of a shoulder injury.
Nasum Ahmed and Nahid Rana are still awaiting their UAE visa. Bangladesh’s strategy to include three frontline pacers Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam proved fruitful as Taskin and Mustafizur both bagged four wickets each. The visitors included two spinners – Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain.
Afghanistan came into the series on the back of a 2-1 win against South Africa in September while Bangladesh are playing their first ODI in eight months.
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