Bangladesh beat Afghanistan to boost semi-final chances

ICC men’s cricket World Cup, The Ageas Bowl, Southamption

Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan

Bangladesh262-7, 50 Ov, Mushfiqur 83 off 87, 4fours, 1 six, , Shakib 51 off 69, 1 four, Mujeeb 3-39, Gulbadin 2-56, Nabi 1-44, D Zadran 12-64.

Afghanistan 200 ao (47 ov), Gulbadin 47 off 75, 3 fours, Shinwaru 49 off 51, 3 fours, 1 six. Shakib 5-29, Mustafizur 2-32, Saifuddin 1-33, Mosadeek 1-25.

Afghanistan won the toss and decided to field

Bangladesh won by 62 runs.

Bangkadesh moved a point behind England and World Cup semi-final places AS They beat Afghanistan by 62 runs at Southampton.

All –rounder Sjakib al Hasan starred again for Bangladesh taking 5-29 from 10 overs after contributing another half-century with the bat.

Shakib become just the second man to make a fiftty and take five wickets in a World Cup match following India all-rounder Yuvraj Siongh against Ireland in 2011. Mushfiqur Rahman anchored the Bangladesh Innings with 83 from 87 balls as they posted 262 from their 50 overs.

Bangladeash spinner, then suffocated the Afghanistan batsmen in their run chase.

Captain and opener Gulbadin Naib made 47 from 75 balls an Samiullah Shjinwary 49, but Afghanistan neevr gained control of the required run rate.

With this win Bangladesh are now fifth in the World Cup table, one place behind England with the top four teams progressing to the semi-finals. However they have played at least one game more than all the teams above them antd England can increase their cushion with victory against Australia. At Lords on Tuesday.

Left-arm spinner Shakib took a wicket in his first over with opemer Rajamat Shah caught at mid-on trying to hit over the top.

After a break Shakib returned for a second spell and claimed the key wickets of Afghanistan captain Gulbadin caught at short extra cover , the dangerous Mohammad Nabi bowled through the gate second ball, and batsman Asghar Afghan caught at deep mid wicket for 20.

Najibullah Zadran an Shinwari shared a 43-balls seventh wicket partnership of 56 to a slimmer of hop for an unlikely victory but Shakib returned again to dismiss Najibullah to seal his second five wicket haul in ODI cricket.

Bangladesh have an difficult run-in against India and Pakistan as they bid to qualify for the semi-final but can take heart from having beaten Pakistan in each of their last four meetings.

Bangladesh all-rounder Sahkinb Al Hasab saud “ I think the five wickets gave me greater pleasure, it was important. Bu tI had to work really hard with the bat and without Mushfique and lots of little things that really contributed we wouldn’t jave got that total. It was team effort with the bat we knew it would be tough with their three quality spinners. We had to bat really well to get those run”.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said “:Shakib has been fantastic through out the tournament , he’s been phenomenal. We will try out level best against India and Pakistan. It’ still wide open. You never know.”

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib said “ Obviously we played two tough games and today we missed something. Our fielding gave away 30-40 runs extra. This wicket was very slow and it helped our spinners. It wasn’t too much tougher in the second innings but Shakib bowled really well.”