Flashback 2018 Asia Cup: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan

Photo: AFP

The Asia Cup will back to its old 50-over format when the 16th edition of the regional cricket extravaganza kicks off in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30, after its recent edition featured the shortest format last year. As Bangladesh are gearing up for the six-team tournament under the leadership of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, The Daily Star Sports look back to the Tigers’ performances in 2018 Asia Cup in UAE, played in their preferred 50-over format.  

Tigers’ confidence hit with 136-run drubbing 

After handing Sri Lanka a 137-run in their opening fixture in the 2018 Asia Cup, Bangladesh got the wind knocked out of their sails as they succumbed to a crushing 136-run loss against Afghanistan in their final group-stage encounter.

An all-round Rashid Khan show prevailed at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in the UAE as the then 20-year-old smashed an unbeaten 32-ball 57 to propel Afghanistan’s score to 255 before delivering a customary performance with the ball as he picked up two wickets giving away just 13 runs from his nine overs to help rout the Tigers to a sorry 119 all out.

For the first 40 overs of the match, Bangladesh had dominated proceedings, restricting their lower-ranked opposition to 160 for seven in 40.5 overs when all-rounder Shakib AL Hasan took his fourth wicket by dismissing Mohammad Nabi to bring Rashid in. In those 40 overs, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe marshalled his bowlers well, using eight of them to lessen the load on the regular bowlers with the India match in mind.

Rashid ravages Tigers

Hider, making his debut in place of Mustafizur Rahman, enjoyed early success by getting opener Ihsanullah Janat and Rahmat Shah inside the first 10 overs. Their run rate was not allowed to pick up as Shakib cut through the middle order with the wickets of opener Shahzad, Asghar Afghan Samiullah Shenwari and Nabi. Only Hasmatullah Shahidi resisted among the top order batsmen with a patient 58 that was ended by Rubel Hossain in the 38th over to leave them at 150 for six.

Photo: AFP

But Rashid’s heroics with the bat after coming in at number nine, helped his team plunder 97 runs in the last 10 overs.

Bangladesh were found exposed owing to the absences of Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim as the Tigers were reduced to 43 for four.

Photo: AFP

Debutant Najmul Hossain Shanto, who filled in for Tamim, was sent back by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mominul Haque, coming back to the ODI side after more than three years to replace Mushfiqur, did not do himself any favours as he chased a Naib delivery down the leg side and was caught behind. 

Shakib top-scored with a 55-ball 32, and Mahmudullah scored a 54-ball 27 as the Tigers were skittled for 119.