When Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bat first against Bangladesh in the must-win game, he did not expect his team’s score to be below 100 in the 18th over. Rashid has his work cut out on a pitch where most Afghanistan batters struggled. He wanted to make an impact with his unorthodox hitting and he succeeded in doing so. In the last over, he needed to be on strike but Karim Janat was reluctant to take a single which led to the captain throwing his bat in frustration on the pitch.
The last over was bowled by Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Only one run was scored off the penultimate over bowled by Mustafizur Rahman and Afghanistan's score was 100/5. On the first ball, Janat took a single as his catch was dropped by Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. As the rain got a little heavier, Rashid smashed a maximum over deep extra cover. On the next ball, he tried to pull off the helicopter shot but the leading edge went towards covers. The ball fell short of Mahmudullah inside the circle.
Rashid wanted the second run to get back on strike but Janat stayed in the crease. Rashid was halfway down the crease and threw his bat in frustration. He managed to make his ground at the non-striker’s end without the bat. After the ball was dead, Janat walked up to the skipper to hand him the bat. Rashid did not look him in the eye after getting the bat.
Rashid finishes with a six
On the next ball, Janat gave him the strike with a single towards long-on. The penultimate delivery was a slower one outside off and Rashid was hit on the pads. But Rashid finished the innings with a flourish. He whacked the ball for a 98 metre six.
Rashid contributed with a crucial unbeaten 10-ball 19 cameo featuring three sixes. The only other six in the innings was hit by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz. On the other end, Janat remained not out for seven runs from six balls as Afghanistan posted 115/5 on the board.
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