Afghanistan record historic win against Bangladesh
Minnows bounce back to shock Asia Cup hosts by 32 runs.
Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari laid the foundations of a historic win for their team with a batting assault that left the hosts stunned in Fatullah. PHOTO: AFP
Afghanistan played like true warriors to stun hosts Bangladesh in the Asia Cup tie played in Fatullah on Saturday.
The minnows were seemingly down and out when their fifth wicket fell for 90 after they were asked to bat first by the hosts.
But a sixth-wicket stand between worth 164 runs between Asghar Stanikzai (90) and Samiullah Shenwari (81) resurrected the innings, Afghanistan ended with a total of 254 for six in their 50 overs.
The hosts were rattled early in their response, the openers perished with only two runs on the board, Mominul Haq revived their hopes with a 50 run knock, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
Ziaur Rehman scored a fighting 41 off only 22 balls striking three sixes and four boundaries in the process but his demise signalled the end.
Bangladesh were dismissed for 222 runs in the 48th over of the innings to seal a historic win for the newcomers playing only their fourth One Day International (ODI) against a Test opponent.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2014.