SHARJAH: Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 68 runs in a battle of spinners to win the second One-day International in Sharjah and level the three-match series on Saturday.

Captain Najmul Hos­sain Shanto scored a wat­chful 76 to help Bangl­adesh to a fighting total of 252-7 after opting to bat first.

Bangladesh then bow­led Afghanistan out for 184 in 43.3 overs, with spinner Nasum Ahm­ed taking 3-28. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Musta­fizur Rahman both grab­bed two wickets apiece.

Rahmat Shah made 52 and opener Sediqullah Atal added 39 to put Afgh­anistan on solid footing, but Atal fell to Nasum and Rahmat was run out after a mix-up with Gulbadin Naib as the match turned in Bangladesh’s favour.

Naib (26), Mohammad Nabi (17) and Rashid Khan (14) got starts but could not go big as Mehidy and Mustafizur did not allow the batters to settle.

“The wicket was difficult, especially against spi­n­ners,” said Najmul. “The way Miraz and Nasum were bowling, credit goes to them.”

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted batting second was a challenge.

“It was tough to bat under lights,” said Sha­hidi. “I think they scored 40 runs in the last five overs and that was the reason. We did well but the wicket was used, and it was tough to bat in the second innings.”

Najmul put on 71 with Soumya Sarkar (35) for Bangladesh’s second wic­ket and another 60 with Mehidy who scored 22.

Left-arm spinner Nange­yalia Kharote dimissed Najmul and Mahmudullah Riyad in the same over and at 184-6 Bangladesh see­med to have lost their way.

It was debutant Jaker Ali (37 not out) and Nasum (25) who contributed 46 for the seventh wicket to revive Bangladesh.

Kharote finished with 3-28 while Rashid Khan took 2-32 and mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar grabbed 2-35.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2024