Bangladesh spinners caught Afghanistan in spin web to restrict them to paltry 156 in 37.1overs in their World Cup opener today at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan (3-30) and offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3-25) were key in strangling Afghanistan, sharing six wickets between them, reports BSS.
The pacers also played their part well with Shoriful Islam picking 2-34, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman claiming one apiece.
Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the top-scorer for Afghanistan with 47. Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai scored identical 22.
But after being sent to bat first, Afghanistan openers Gurbaz and Ibrahim treated the Bangladeshi pacers in disdain to make a solid start.
As they looked dangerous, Shakib made the crucial breakthrough, claiming the wicket of Ibrahim with a slower delivery.
The skipper then stifled the batting with tight line and length and rewarded with the wicket of Rahmat Shah (18).
Miraz appeared on the stage to further trouble Afghanistan batters. He removed Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (18), caught at mid-on.
But the big blow came in the next over when Mustafizur Rahman had Gurbaz caught by Tanzid Hasan Tamim at deep square leg, leaving the Afghanistan at 112-4.
Afghanistan then lost the rest of the six wickets for only 44 runs with Shakib and Miraz slicing the middle order in a gem of spin bowling.
The pacers then cleaned up the tail to give Bangladesh batters an easy target to chase.
