Afghanistan stunned Bangladesh by two wickets in a thrilling second One Day International at Mirpur on Wednesday to level the three match series 1-1. This was Afghanistan's second win against Bangladesh in four ODIs played between the two teams.
After electing to field first, the Afghani spinners, led by brilliant displays by Mohammad Nabi (2/16) and teenager Rashid Khan (3/35), bundled out the hosts for a modest 208. Nabi was the standout for Afghanistan, both with bat and ball. Opening the bowling attack, the former skipper was miserly with the ball and picked up the crucial wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza.
Bangladesh collapsed from 111/2 after Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim had steadied the innings. Mirwais Ashraf had effected the wickets of the Bangladesh openers. Bangladesh were helped over the 200-run mark by a fighting debut knock from Mosaddek Hossain (45 not out from 45). Hossain performed creditably with the ball too, finishing with figures of 2/30.
The spinners picked up wickets at regular intervals. Khan once again proved why he is hailed as one of talents to watch out for in the future, and was on a hat-trick after dismissing Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed. Shakib Al Hasan (4/47) proved to be too much to handle for the Afghanistan top-order batsmen and Bangladesh were on top till the time Stanikzai and Nabi got together.
The Afghani skipper took his time in the middle but Nabi was a busy customer at the crease. Nabi, Stanikzai, and Khan departed in quick succession and the match headed for a tense finish in the final overs. Najibullah Zadran fell in the final over to Taskin Ahmed but Dawlat Zadran finished things off with a boundary.
Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 208 in 49.2 overs (Mosaddek Hossain 45 not out, Mushfiqur Rahim 38; Rashid Khan 3/35, Mohammad Nabi 2/16) lost to Afghanistan 212/8 in 49.4 overs (Asghar Stanikzai 57, Mohammad Nabi 49; Shakib Al Hasan 4/47, Mosaddek Hossain 2/30) by 2 wickets.