Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by a staggering 92 runs in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on November 6, 2024. The match was a tale of contrasting fortunes, with Afghanistan’s spinners playing a key role in the dramatic collapse of Bangladesh’s chase. The victory gave Afghanistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, a major achievement in the 50-over format.
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Afghanistan’s resilience under pressure
Afghanistan’s batting innings got off to a shaky start and they found themselves at 71/5 in the 20th over, a position that seemed far from promising. However, skippers Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi steadied the ship with a brilliant partnership. Shahidi scored a crucial 52 runs while Nabi’s 84 off 79 balls provided the necessary impetus for Afghanistan to post a competitive 235 in 49.4 overs.
Nabi’s innings stood out for its maturity and composure, especially in the middle innings when Afghanistan struggled to gain momentum. His work with Shahidi not only pulled the team out of a precarious situation but also ensured a defensible target in Afghanistan. The lower order, led by Nabi, added crucial runs and it was a clear indication that Afghanistan not only possess the skills but also the resilience to fight back from tough situations.
Bangladesh’s promising start unraveled with dramatic collapse
Bangladesh’s opener posted a 236-run victory as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz combined for a 52-run knock. By the end of the 20th over, Bangladesh were cruising at 120/2 and seemed to have the chase in control. However, the game took a turn when Mohammad Nabi’s brilliant bowling broke the partnership and triggered a swift collapse in the middle overs.
Starting at 128/2, Bangladesh were bowled out for just 143 runs, losing their last 8 wickets for just 23 runs. The sudden collapse was testament to the pressure exerted by Afghanistan’s spinners, especially Allah Ghazanfar, whose six-wicket haul played a major role in the win. Ghazanfar was a revelation for Afghanistan and he was strongly supported by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi who ensured that the middle order in Bangladesh never gained any stability.
Spinners lead charge for Afghanistan
The turning point of the match was undoubtedly the performance of the Afghan spinners. Ghazanfar’s six wickets not only helped Afghanistan defend a modest total but also demonstrated the value of precision and control in spin-friendly conditions in Sharjah. His ability to break down key partnerships, especially that of Santo and Miraz, proved a game-changer. Rashid Khan, with his usual flair and Mohammad Nabi’s experience, perfectly complemented Ghazinfar’s efforts, ensuring Bangladesh’s batting line-up collapsed under pressure.
Afghanistan’s spin attack was top-notch and despite some early setbacks, their bowlers remained calm and executed their plan flawlessly. The win highlighted the depth and effectiveness of Afghanistan’s spin bowling, which has been the team’s strength.
Bangladesh missed opportunity
Bengal’s batsmen, who were originally strong, faltered under increasing pressure. Despite a good start, their inability to convert the start into big scores, especially with a batsman like Santo, proved to be their undoing. Reflecting on the defeat, Santo admitted that his wicket was the turning point as Bengal failed to execute their plans effectively in the middle order.
The absence of key players like Shakib Al Hassan in the lineup also seemed to affect Bengal’s ability to regroup during the collapse. The team failed to rotate the attack effectively and lost wickets at regular intervals which led to their undoing.
Main performance and key points
- Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan): Nabi’s 84 games were crucial for Afghanistan to reach a competitive total. His all-round performance with bat and ball highlights his importance in the team.
- Allah Ghazanfar (Afghanistan): Ghazanfar was the star of the match with a superb six-wicket haul, giving Afghanistan the breakthrough they desperately needed in the second innings.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh): Despite a valiant effort to score 52 runs, Shanto’s wicket sparked a collapse that proved crucial The elimination can create a domino effect in the game.
