Bangla post 249 against Afghan
Abu Dhabi, Sept. 23: Afghanistan bowlers could not capitalise on a dominant start upfront and allowed Bangladesh to score a competitive 249 for seven with Mahmudullah and Imrul Kayes repairing the innings with fighting halfcenturies in an Asia Cup Super Four match, here on Sunday.
Mahmudullah ( 74) and Kayes ( 72 not out), playing his first ODI in almost a year, shared a 128- run stand for the fifth wicket to lift their side from a precarious 87 for five after electing to bat.
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 today and gave away 46 runs in his 10 overs.
It was key in Bangladesh's revival. Mahmudullah's knock came off 81 balls with three fours and two sixes while left- hander Kayes consumed 89 balls for his calculative unbeaten knock, which had six shots to the fence.
The partnership broke Bangladesh: Liton Das c Janat b Rashid 41, Nazmul Hossain c Rahmat b Alam 6, Mohammad Mithun lbw b Mujeeb 1, Mushfiqur Rahim run out 33, Shakib Al Hasan run out 0, Imraul Kayes ( not out) 72, Mohammadullah Riyad c Rashid b Alam 74, Mashrafe Mortaza c Shahzad b Alam 10, Mehidy Hasan ( not out) 5. Extras ( b1, lb2, w4) 7. Total ( for seven wickets in 50 overs) 249. FoW: 1- 16, 2- 18, 3- 81, 481, 5- 87, 6- 215, 7- 236. Bowling: Alam 10- 0- 543, Mujeeb 10- 0- 35- 1, Naib 9- 0- 58- 0, Nabi 100- 44- 0, Rashid 10- 0- 461, Shinwari 1- 0- 9- 0.
towards the end of the innings when pacer Aftab Alam had Mahmudullah caught by Rashid.