Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan || Asia Cup 2018 || Super 4
Alongside the India Vs Pakistan Match in Dubai, there was another match that was played in Sheik Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. The match was played between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. It was the second encounter for both the team in the Asia Cup 2018. Bangladesh opted to bat first after winning the toss. They brought in two changes to their side. One of the newer members to get added to their side was "Nazmul Islam". Imrul Kayes came in for Mosaddek Hossain. Likewise, for Afghanistan, they had one change in the form of Samiullah Shenwari who replaced Najibullah Zadran. The opening of Bangladesh batting was not up to the mark. They lost the first wicket when the team score was nagging at mere 16 runs in five overs. Mohammed Mithun followed the footsteps of Nazmul Hossain Shanto, making the scoreboard read as 18 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 6 overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das played the major role of stitching a decent partnership of 63 runs. The star player of the Afghanistan team Rashid Khan came into the bowling attack. He did not waste any time by taking a wicket in his very first over. Another brilliant throw from the Mohammed Nabi made sure that Shakib Al Hassan is back to the pavilion without scoring any run. Bangladesh team was pondering at a score of 85 runs with the loss of 5 wickets. It was being seen as another collapse by the Bangladesh Batsmen during the innings. Imrul Kayes (72 runs from 89 deliveries) and Mahmudullah (74 runs of 81 deliveries ) stitched a partnership by scoring half centuries. Both the batsmen stayed almost to the end and made sure that they reach a decent total and give their bowlers a considerable target to bowl on. In the end, Bangladesh scored 236 runs in their allotted 50 overs with a loss of 7 wickets.
Afghanistan too had a similar start as that of Bangladesh with a loss of 2 wickets for 27 runs in 8 overs. Mohammad Shahzad played brilliantly for his half-century. He scored 52 runs off 88 deliveries and was dismissed when the team score was 89 runs. Hashmatullah Shahidi played brilliantly and scored 71 runs from 99 deliveries. Mashrafe Mortaza the captain of Bangladesh Team came back brilliantly and took both the wickets of Shahidi and Asghar to put the Bangladesh Team in the driving seat. Well, to be frank, the Afghanistan team were never ready to give up till the end. A quick-fire from Samiullah Shenwari took the Afghanistan team score to such a level that they needed 8 runs of the last over. A brilliant last over from Mustafizur Rahman, made sure that the Afghanistan Team does not reach the target. In the end, it was Bangladesh team who won the match by a mere 3 runs, but to achieve victory it required Mustafizur's composure to attain this win.
Batting at such a lower order, it was Mahmudullah innings that put the Bangladesh team to the driving seat and made sure that they had a decent total on the board to defend. In the end, when seen from the spectator perspective it was a match that was worth a watch. Both teams played brilliantly and a thrilling finish, in the end, did keep the spectators at the corner of their seats. After this match, India has entered virtually into the Asia Cup 2018 Final with their next game against Afghanistan. Bangladesh will celebrate for now and they have their next game against Pakistan which is virtually a semi-final for both the teams. Mahmudullah was awarded the Man of the Match for his knock of 74 runs from 81 deliveries.
The Asia Cup 2018 is coming to a brilliant end and no doubt that there are many of them eagerly waiting for the final teams who will be playing the Asia Cup 2018 Finals.
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