Bangladesh vs Afghanistan World Cup 2023 Match Review

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Admin in Cricket

Bangladesh and Afghanistan faced each other in the third match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala on October 7, 2023. It was a crucial game for both teams, as they were looking to secure a spot in the Super Six stage of the tournament. Bangladesh, who had lost their opening match against Sri Lanka, bounced back with a convincing win over Afghanistan by 89 runs. Afghanistan, who had won their first match against Netherlands, failed to repeat their performance and were bowled out for 245 in chase of 335.

Bangladesh’s batting brilliance

Bangladesh’s batting was the highlight of the match, as they posted their highest total in World Cup history. They scored 334 for 5 in 50 overs, thanks to centuries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Mehidy, who opened the batting for the first time in ODIs since the 2018 Asia Cup final, played a mature innings of 112 not out off 119 balls. He retired hurt due to cramps in his left arm in the 44th over, but not before he had added 194 runs for the third wicket with Shanto. Shanto, who had scored 89 against Sri Lanka, continued his good form and smashed 104 off 95 balls. He hit nine fours and two sixes and reached his second ODI hundred in style by pulling Rashid Khan for a boundary in the 42nd over.

Bangladesh’s top order set the platform for a big total, as Mohammad Naim scored a quickfire 38 off 28 balls at the top. He was dismissed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s googly in the tenth over, but not before he had given Bangladesh a flying start. Towhid Hridoy, who came at No. 3 ahead of Shanto, was out for a duck in the next over, edging Gulbadin Naib to first slip. However, that was the last time Afghanistan celebrated for a long time, as Mehidy and Shanto took charge and dominated the bowling.

Bangladesh’s lower order also contributed to the cause, as Mahmudullah Riyad scored 28 off 18 balls and Afif Hossain scored 21 off 11 balls. They added some quick runs in the final overs and took Bangladesh past the 300-run mark. Afghanistan’s bowling was lacklustre, as they conceded too many boundaries and extras. Rashid Khan, their star spinner, was ineffective and expensive, as he bowled only seven overs and gave away 54 runs without taking any wicket. He also hurt himself while fielding and could not bowl his full quota of overs. Naib was the only bowler who took a wicket for Afghanistan, while Farooqi, Mujeeb and Nabi went wicketless.

Afghanistan’s chase falters

Afghanistan’s chase never got going, as they lost wickets at regular intervals and fell behind the required run rate. They were reduced to 28 for 2 in the seventh over, as Shoriful Islam dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah in quick succession. Gurbaz was caught behind for 12, while Rahmat was bowled for a duck. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Ibrahim Zadran then steadied the innings with a 93-run partnership for the third wicket. Shahidi scored his ninth ODI fifty and looked solid at the crease. He hit six fours and a six in his knock of 51 off 59 balls. Ibrahim also played well and scored his second ODI fifty. He hit seven fours and two sixes in his innings of 75 off 82 balls.

However, their partnership was broken by Taskin Ahmed in the 24th over, as he had Shahidi caught by Afif Hossain at deep midwicket. That triggered a collapse for Afghanistan, as they lost their next five wickets for just 49 runs. Taskin Ahmed was the chief destroyer for Bangladesh, as he picked up four wickets in his second spell. He dismissed Ibrahim, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan in quick succession and dented Afghanistan’s hopes of a comeback. Shoriful Islam also bowled well and took three wickets for Bangladesh. He dismissed Naib, Najibullah Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to wrap up the innings.

Afghanistan were bowled out for 245 in 43 overs, losing the match by 89 runs. Bangladesh registered their first win of the tournament and moved to the second spot in Group B with four points from two matches. Afghanistan remained at the third spot with two points from two matches.

Conclusion

Bangladesh showed their batting prowess and proved why they are one of the contenders for the World Cup title. They scored their highest total in World Cup history and put up a clinical performance with the ball. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto were the stars of the show, as they scored centuries and set up the win for Bangladesh. Afghanistan, on the other hand, were disappointing with both bat and ball. They failed to contain Bangladesh’s batsmen and could not chase down the target. They will have to improve their performance in their next match against Sri Lanka, if they want to stay alive in the tournament.