Lahore, 3 September 2023: Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto were involved in a towering 194-run stand as the two smashed centuries to hammer Afghanistan to an 89-run defeat at the Gaddafi Stadium in the second Group B match of the Super 11 Asia Cup 2023.
Mehidy, opening the innings, was joined by Shanto when Bangladesh’s score read 63-2 in the 11th over. The two then upped the ante to thrash the Afghanistan bowlers all over the park in their mammoth partnership.
Mehidy slammed 112 off 119 balls with the help of seven boundaries and three sixes before being forced to retire hurt due to cramps. Meanwhile, Shanto also registered himself on the Gaddafi Stadium honours board with a brilliant 104 off 105 balls studded with nine fours and two maximums.
The final impetus to the innings was provided by Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, who hit four boundaries and a six in his quick-fire 32 not out from 18 deliveries to carry his team to an imposing total of 334-5.
In reply, Afghanistan got off to the worst possible start, losing their in-form opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz for just one run.While Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah and later Hashmatullah Shahidi steadied the ship with their composed knocks, the rate at which they scored was insufficient to pose a threat to the Bangladesh bowlers.
A middle-order collapse triggered Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam hastened Afghanistan’s demise with only Rashid Khan providing some entertainment to the vocal supporters in the stadium during his brief stay. The pace bowling duo of Taskin and Shoriful shared seven wickets between them as Afghanistan were dismissed for 245 in 44.3 overs.
Bangladesh have now qualified for the Super 4 stage of the tournament setting up their clash with Pakistan at the same venue on 6 September.
Scores in brief:
Bangladesh won by 89 runs
Bangladesh 334-5 in 50 overs (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 112 retired hurt, Najmul Hossain Shanto 104, Shakib Al Hasan 32*)
Afghanistan 245 in 44.3 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 75, Hashmatullah Shahidi 51; Taskin Ahmed 4-44, Shoriful Islam 3-36) Player of the match: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh)
