Bangladesh came into the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan on a phenomenal run of form in the 50-over format and following a record 546-run win in the lone Test against the same opposition. However, that sense of superiority was dented by a quality bowling attack from the visitors as Bangladesh could post just 169 for nine in their 43 overs in the first ODI, which took place in Chattogram yesterday.
In a match that was cut short due to rain, Afghanistan prevailed against Bangladesh by 17 runs using the DLS technique. Opener Ibrahim Zadran scored 41 runs without being dismissed.After Afghanistan had reached 83-2 in 21.4 overs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, play was stopped due to rain. Afghanistan was trying to accomplish a target of 164 runs in 43 overs.
Before heading to the World Cup later this year, the Bangladesh camp had the goal of finding the best possible combination of players to take with them. The One-Day International series against Afghanistan presented an opportunity to evaluate Bangladesh’s competition before the two countries play each other in the opening match of the mega-event in Dharamsala on October 7.
There was a feeling of confidence and consistency in the batting line-up of the Tigers previous to the series, however players like as Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Najmul Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Afif Hossain all disappointed the patient fans in Chattogram during a game that was delayed by rain.
It appeared as though the home team’s batters were put through their paces by some quality bowling from Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. This led many people to question the quality of the opponents that the Tigers faced in the recent past, with the exception of the series against England, which Bangladesh lost 2-1.
Bangladesh were forced to bat on a pitch that had a noticeable amount of grass on it, and they found it challenging to negotiate the first few overs. The home team was defeated by Farooqi, who defeated Tamim, who was quite anxious and not in peak physical condition, for the fourth match in a row in one-day internationals. The left-hander was caught attempting to fish at a ball outside off from the left-arm seamer, and after scoring 13, he could only manage to get an outside edge to the keeper.
From Bangladesh’s point of view, there were a number of dismissals that could be considered to be on the soft side, and players like Liton Das and the in-form Shanto would probably be reevaluating their shot selection in the locker room.
Experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan, who made a return to the squad, and Mushfiqur also failed, with the latter being undone by a faster delivery from Rashid. Shakib Al Hasan made his comeback to the side. When it comes to facing bowlers of a higher level, particularly when the stakes are high, it was definitely a wake-up call for Bangladesh’s hitters, and it was surely a reality check for them.
The Tigers were nothing near their best, prompting head coach Chandika Hathurusingha to come up with a stronger strategy from his hitters in the coming days. Towhid Hridoy continued to be the star performer for Bangladesh with the bat, reaching his third fifty in only his sixth game.