Bangladesh win ODI series opener after Afghanistan collapse
Sunday 25 September 2016 18:21, UK
Afghanistan lost their last six wickets for 28 runs as Bangladesh won the opening one-day international by seven runs in Mirpur.
A third-wicket partnership of 144 between Rahmat Shah (71) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (72) left the visitors well-placed to chase down Bangladesh's 265 all out, and with four overs in the bank just 28 were required.
But Shakib Al Hasan (2-26) slowed their progress, conceding just one off the final over of a parsimonious full compliment of slow left-arm, and Taksin Ahmed (4-59) then cashed in with four quick wickets as Afghanistan were dismissed for 258 off the final ball of their 50 overs.
Bangladesh had earlier absorbed the fifth-ball loss of opener Soumya Sarkar to post a competitive target, the remainder of their top order all contributing useful runs.
Tamim Iqbal top-scored with 80, hitting nine fours in a 98-ball innings and sharing half-century stands with Imrul Kayes and Mahmadullah, whose 62 featured his side's only two sixes.
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Shakib weighed in with 48 from 40 deliveries before becoming one of four Dawlat Zadran victims, his swift knock and his exploits with the ball earning him the man-of-the-match award.
The teams are due to play two more one-dayers, the first of them in Dhaka on Wednesday.
