World Cup 2023: Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s all-round action ensures Bangladesh’s smooth six-wicket win over Afghanistan
On Saturday, the superb performance of Mehidy Hasan Miraz ensured Bangladesh’s smooth six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their World Cup opener in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.
To take 3 for 25, Miraz first employed his off-spin effectively. This helped Bangladesh to bundle out Afghanistan for 156. While batting, Miraz scored crucial 57 off 73 balls. With a patient unbeaten 59 (off 83 balls), Najmul Shanto too chipped in for the Tigers.
Initially, Bangladesh struggled a bit after openers Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das returned within the first seven overs. However, Miraz and Shanto scored 97 runs for the third wicket (in just above 22 overs) to carry their country closer to the finishing line.
For the Bangladesh batters, the tackiness in the pitch made a cautious approach mandatory. They responded to the task while rotating the strike efficiently through nips and tucks around. Interestingly, they also did not miss any opportunity to free their arms.
Shanto brought the winning runs. He smashed two successive boundaries. Earlier, to restrict Afghanistan to a meager 156, Shakib Al Hasan and Miraz exploited a slightly tacky pitch to the hilt.
Shakib and Miraz shared six wickets equally. Afghanistan spectacularly imploded.
However, in the 25th over, there was no sign of such a collapse when Afghanistan was comfortably placed at 112 for two. As Bangladesh bowlers mounted pressure, the Afghans slipped into panic mode and lost wickets at regular intervals.
The performance of Shakib deserve a special mention. The Bangladesh captain elected to field first. He led the bowlers from the front with an impeccable show of spin bowling.
The Afghanistan batsmen failed to read the bowlers.
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