Riyad, Imrul rescue Bangladesh
ABUDHABI: Bangladesh kept their hopes of reaching the Asia Cup final alive after a remarkable recovery scripted by batsmen Mahmudullah Riyad and Imrul Kayes who added 128 runs for the sixth wicket to help their side reach 249/7 in 50 overs in their Super Four Stage match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Later Bangladesh reduced Afghanistan to 110 for 3 in 30 overs with wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad scoring a half-century.
The Tigers were struggling at 87 for five at one point in time before the two batsmen came together and performed the rescue act with their half-centuries.
Riyad scored 81-ball 74 with two sixes and three boundaries while Kayes -- recalled as back-up to strengthen the batting -- made 89 ball 72 not out.
The inexperience of Afghan bowlers showed yet again as they allowed the rivals to free themselves from their clutches.
Mahmudullah played aggressive after completing his 20th ODI, twice lofting star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan over the ropes.
Rashid was well handled by the two batsmen. He could get only one wicket and gave away 46 runs in his 10 overs. Handling him well was the key in Bangladesh’s revival.
Mahmudullah’s knock came off 81 balls with three fours and two sixes while the left-hander Kayes consumed 89 balls for his calculative unbeaten knock, which had six shots to the fence.
The partnership broke towards the end of the innings when pacer Aftab Alam had Mahmudullah caught by Rashid.
At the top, only Liton Das could make his presence felt with a 41-run innings while Mushfiqur Rahim (33) frittered away a good start by running himself out.
The pace trio of Aftab Alam, Mujeeb ur Rahamn and Gulbadin Naib had succeeded in straight-jacketing Bangladesh batsmen, keeping them under a tight leash with disciplined line and length.
Boundaries were far and few. Making it tougher for the Bangladesh was some terrific fielding by the gritty Afghans.