Afghan spinners restrict Bangladesh to 208

MIRPUR: A late dose of boundaries from 20-year old debutant Mosaddek Hossain took Bangladesh to 208 in 49.2 overs, after Afghanistan's spinners had dented the rest of the batting line-up. Bangladesh, comfortably placed at 111 for 2 in the 25th over, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah set at the crease, lost their last seven wickets for 86 runs in 22.1 overs.

Mohammad Nabi gave away just 16 runs for two wickets in his 10 overs. Legspinner Rashid Khan was rewarded for his accuracy with three wickets, and regularly beat the outside edge with his pace. Rahmat Shah, the other legspinner, also picked up a wicket, though he looked the most innocuous of the three spinners. However, he took advantage of the pressure created by Rashid and Nabi.

But after they had slipped to 165 for 9 in the 43rd over, Mosaddek launched late blows, including a scoop over long-leg and a pull over midwicket, during his run-a-ball 45 not out. He finished with four fours and two sixes. No. 11 Rubel helped Mosaddek in the 43-run stand for the tenth wicket, though his hesitation in completing a run in the final over cost Bangladesh four deliveries in the end.

Earlier, Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar, the Bangladesh openers, fell in the space of ten balls after they had diligently negotiated the Powerplay. Soumya was low in confidence to start off and needed time to settle down. So it was a surprise that he decided to slap Mirwais Ashraf over mid-off, but ended up toe-ending it to Hashmatullah Shahidi at cover for 20 off 31 balls.

The dismissal came after a similarly ugly shot from Tamim in Ashraf's previous over that had him caught at third man, also for 20. Both openers were gone just when they looked like they had settled.

Mahmudullah, sent in at No. 3 in the absence of Imrul Kayes, timed the ball very well on both sides. Mushfiqur Rahim wasn't too far behind as he struck four quick boundaries, driving through covers, clipping through midwicket and cutting past point.

Just after he had survived a close run-out chance, Mahmudullah chopped Naveen-ul-Haq onto his stumps, bringing an end to his 61-run third wicket stand with Mushfiqur. Mushfiqur fell to his favoured sweep shot when he holed out to deep square-leg after making 38 off 51 balls.

With Sabbir Rahman and debutant Mosaddek left to bat, the onus fell on Shakib-Al-Hasan, but he was scratchy during his 21-ball 17. He was dropped on 17 at cover by Hashmatullah Shahidi. He was eventually trapped lbw by Nabi, though he pointed at his bat to the umpire, suggesting an inside edge. Replays, however, proved inconclusive.

Off the next ball, Rashid trapped Sabbir, who missed a shorter delivery on the pull. Mashrafe Mortaza fell to Nabi in the next over, failing to clear mid-off where Dawlat Zadran took the catch. Rashid then gobbled up Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed off consecutive balls in the 43rd over, but missed the hat-trick when Rubel Hossain defended his googly.

Ashraf took two wickets, while Naveen picked up one.