DAINIK NATION BUREAU
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan carried his lethal IPL form into international cricket as Afghanistan outplayed Bangladesh by 45 runs in the opening T20 of the three-match series here on Sunday.
It was the first ever international game in the city as well as the state. Rashid came to bowl in the 11th over and put his team in a strong position straightaway by removing the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim (20) and Sabbir Rahman (0) off his first two deliveries. By delivering bowl he was indicating Bangladesh batsman Rahim to leave the ground as if he was quite confidant. Meanwhile empire ascertained it and entire Afganistan team surrouned Rashid as if they were desperate to get that wicket. In second bowl Rahman also lost his wicket without opening his account on pitch. Thereafter crowd got impatient and they started demanding once more as if they want to see hat trick on this ground, where first time international cricket between Afganistan and Bangladesh being played.
Although Bangladesh opening batsman failed to fulfill their team expectation, who were chasing for 168 runs. In nutshell Afganistan team played well and they give enough opportunity to the crowd to enjoy the match.
Bangladesh could not recover from the blow and ended 122 all out in response to Afghanistan’s 167/8.
Brief scores: Afg 167 /8 (Shahzad 40, Shenwari 36; Mahmudullah 2-1); B’desh 122 (Liton 30, Mahmudullah 29; Rashid 3/13, Zadran 3/40)