CHATTOGRAM, Feb 23: Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan combined for a national record 174-run partnership in an unbroken seventh wicket stand as Bangladesh recovered from a 45/6 to beat Afghanistan by four wickets in the first one-day international on Wednesday.
Both players hit their career-best knocks in the process to frustrate Afghanistan.
Afif posted an unbeaten 93, his maiden 50-plus output, and Mehidy added 81 not out as Bangladesh raced to victory with seven balls to spare after Afghanistan was bowled out for 215 in 49.1 overs.
Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi — described by Tamim Iqbal as world’s best — could take only two wickets, with Afif and Mehidy keeping them at bay.
Playing only his second ODI, pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/54) left Bangladesh 18/4 as Afghanistan appeared to have closed the game.
But Afif and Mehidy rose when it mattered most. Their strategy to play with caution and aggression served them well and frustrated Afghanistan as the evening dew largely kept the Afghan spin trio ineffective.
Najibullah Zadran earlier struck a superb 67 off 84 to give Afghanistan’s total respectability, after Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi had won the toss and elected to bat in the series opener.
Mustafizur Rahman finished with 3/35 while Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam took two wickets each.
The loss snapped Afghanistan’s six-match ODI winning streak.
Bangladesh is hosting Afghanistan for three ODIs and two T20Is. (AP)
