The Sharjah pitch gleamed under the sun, looking almost like a mirror. It was a pitch to bat first, and Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi made that choice in the first ODI against Bangladesh. He anticipated the pitch would favor spinners in the later innings. However, things didn’t go as planned, and Afghanistan found themselves struggling at 35 for 4 in the 10th over and 71 for 5 by the 20th over.
Early Strikes by Mustafizur and Taskin
Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed were quick to unsettle Afghanistan’s top order. Mustafizur took three wickets, while Taskin claimed two. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for 5 by Taskin in the second over, edging to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim. Sediqullah Atal, Afghanistan’s debutant, showed resilience with a few boundaries but fell for 21 to Mustafizur, trapped in front after a full delivery. Afghanistan faced further setbacks as Mustafizur removed Azmatullah Omarzai for a duck in the same over.
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: 1st ODI Kicks Off in Sharjah
Shahidi and Nabi Stabilize the Innings
With Afghanistan struggling, captain Shahidi stood firm and found support in Mohammad Nabi. Together, they added a vital 104 runs off 122 balls. Shahidi played cautiously, while Nabi brought aggression, hitting Rishad Hossain for two towering sixes over deep midwicket. Their partnership revived Afghanistan’s innings, taking the score past 150. Nabi reached his half-century first, off 52 balls, while Shahidi took a patient 87 deliveries to reach his fifty.
Bangladesh Breaks Partnership, Nabi Keeps Pushing
Bangladesh regained momentum when Mustafizur dismissed Shahidi for 52 in the 41st over. Soon after, Rashid Khan fell to Shoriful Islam, leaving Nabi to push the score alone. Nabi continued his aggressive approach, bringing up Afghanistan’s 200 with four overs left. In the 47th over, he smashed a six over midwicket off Mustafizur.
Kharote’s Late Cameo Boosts Total
After Rashid’s departure, Nangeyalia Kharote stepped in with a quick 27 not out, hitting two boundaries and a six in the final overs. His contribution added crucial runs to the scoreboard. Taskin struck twice in the 48th over to restrict Afghanistan’s scoring further, but the team still managed to reach a total of 235.
Taskin and Mustafizur Star with the Ball
Taskin and Mustafizur were the standouts in Bangladesh’s bowling attack, each claiming four wickets on a slow pitch that challenged batters. Their disciplined bowling was key to restricting Afghanistan, and the pitch is expected to slow down even more as Bangladesh begins its chase of 236.
Bangladesh’s Challenging Chase Ahead
With 236 as the target, Bangladesh faces a challenging chase on a pitch likely to favor spinners in the second innings. Afghanistan’s strong bowling lineup, led by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, will look to capitalize on the pitch conditions and pressure Bangladesh’s batters. The outcome of this first ODI hangs in the balance as both teams vie for a win in this three-match series.
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