No, it cannot be called an upset anymore. Afghanistan truly dominated the proceedings against an overconfident Bangladesh side. After a superb bowling display, Afghan top-order struggled at first but Najibullah Zadran's stormy knock left Bangladesh bowlers clueless. The convincing seven-wicket win helped Mohammad Nabi’s Afghanistan reach the Super 4 stage.
Afghan stars struggle
Chasing a below par total of 128 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Afghan openers started off slowly. Rahmanullah Gurbaz could not cope with the dot ball pressure and got stumped off Shakib's bowling. After the powerplay overs, they had 29/1 on the board.
As the fielders spread out, Bangladesh bowlers did not let Hazratullah Zazai and Ibrahim Zadran score freely. In the 10th over, Zazai got out for a 26-ball 23. After 10 overs, they had 48/2 on the board. The wicket of skipper Nabi put a big dent on Afghanistan hopes of chasing down the total.
Najibullah changes the game
Najibullah walked in to bat when Afghanistan needed 66 runs from 42 balls. At first, Ibrahim switched gears and hit Taskin Ahmed for a couple of boundaries in the 15th over. Najibullah hit his first six in the 16th over. The 17th over turned out to be a big one as Najibullah hit two more sixes to make the equation easier. Mohammad Saifuddin leaked 22 runs in the 18th over and Najibullah finished the match in style with a six in the next over.
The two batters shared an unbeaten 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket from 33 deliveries. Najibullah remained unbeaten for 43 runs off 17 deliveries including one four and six sixes. On the other end, Ibrahim played the anchor role and scored 42 runs from 41 deliveries.
Shakib's controversial statement
Earlier, Shakib took the decision to bowl first after winning the toss. The Bangladesh all-rounder made a bold statement at the coin toss as he said, “We will bat first. It will be difficult for Afghanistan, so that is what we will look to do.”
The collapse
However, it turned out to be the opposite. Mujeeb Ur Rahman bamboozled Bangladesh's top order by getting the wicket of Mohammad Naim, Anamul Haque and Shakib. Rashid Khan was introduced into the bowling attack after powerplay overs and took the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh were reduced to 28/4 in the seventh over.
Damage control
Rashid struck again and got the wicket of Afif Hossain. With half their side gone in the 11th over, Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain did some damage control. Rashid got Mahmudullah (25) in his last over but Mosaddek got a few boundaries in the slog overs to get Bangladesh to a respectable total. He remained unbeaten for 48 off 31 deliveries as Bangladesh managed to put 127/7 on the board.
