Afghanistan vs Bangladesh AFG and BAN in UAE, 3 ODIs, 2024 Full Scorecard

OUT! BOWLED'EM! AM Ghazanfar deservedly wraps things up and Afghanistan come back from the brink to snatch a comfortable win. This is nicely tossed up, a tad full and around off, it is the carrom ball yet again. This one pitches and turns in, Shoriful Islam goes down on one knee looking for the big slog but misses and the ball crashes into the stumps. Ghaznafar finishes off with 6 wickets and Afghanistan win by 92 runs.

Oh, Shoriful Islam looked to send that one into orbit! Slows it up a bit and tosses it on off, Shoriful with a big slog across the line but only manages an inside edge onto the pads.

No hat-trick for AM Ghazanfar! Tossed up around off, a bit too full, Mustafizur Rahman looks to drive but gets it off the inner edge towards square leg for one.

Tossed up full on middle and leg, Shoriful Islam takes the front leg out and flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Flatter delivery outside off, Mustafizur Rahman makes room to cut but gets an under edge down to short third for a single.

Dragged down over middle and leg, Shoriful Islam stands tall and launches it down to long on but doesn't time it well at all. Just a single then.

A tad bit short and outside off, Mustafizur Rahman makes room and cuts it through point for a single.

Mustafizur Rahman is the last man in for Bangladesh.

OUT! TIMBER! That should be the game if it wasn't obvious before! This is tosssed up outside off. It's the googly. It spins back in. Hridoy looks to play the slog sweep but misses and it hits the stumps.

On middle. Defended.

Snort and down the leg side. Hridoy looks to pull but misses.

Shoriful Islam is the new batter in.

OUT! TIMBER! A stellar five-wicket haul for Afghan sensation AM Ghazanfar and Afghanistan just a couple of wickets away from victory here. Comes from around the wicket to the left-hander and bowls another flicker which is the carrom ball, landing it a touch full around off. Taskin Ahmed strides across to block but the ball turns in and beats the inside edge to crash into the stumps. What a turnaround from the Afghan spinners!

Taskin Ahmed is the next man in.

OUT! LBW! Nicely bowled and the appeal has been listened to as the umpire raises his finger. Seemed like yet another carrom ball from AM Ghazanfar, this one on a dragged length and sliding it into middle and leg stump. Rishad Hossain gets pegged back and looks to flick it away but the ball holds its line and beats the bat to hit the pads. It is reviewed but there's nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows that it would have just clipped the top of the stumps which means the onfield decision stands and Bangladesh lose their seventh wicket.

On a length and angled into the pads, Towhid Hridoy flicks it off the inner edge and the ball lobs up off the pads on the leg side. They scamper through for a run.

Darted in just a tad short and on the stumps, Towhid Hridoy backs away and keeps it out on the off side.

A tad bit short at the stumps, turned away towards square leg for a run.

Rishad Hossain is in next.

OUT! STUMPED! That is a ripper of a delivery from AM Ghazanfar and you can see jubilation as he brings out 'Cristiano Ronaldo' signature celebration. Another carrom ball from Ghaznafar but this one lands perfectly, full on off, angling in and then just leaves the batter. Mushfiqur Rahim leans on to flick it away but plays all around it and is drawn out of his crease as well. The substitute keeper, Ikram Alikhil dislodges the bails in a flash and Rahim has a bewildered look on his face.

On the shorter side and angled into the pads, Rahim works it off the back foot to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

Bowled flatter and on a dragged length around off, Rahim nudges it down to short third.

Drinks break! Time for a bit of a breather now and Bangladesh won't mind this as this break in play allows them to regather. Afghanistan have been on a roll in the last 10 or so overs and after a spell of sustained pressure, the wickets have started to tumble. The next few overs become really crucial for both sides and could make or break the game. With that said, the veteran, Mushfiqur Rahim walks out to bat.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! You can't keep Rashid Khan out of the game for too long and it is that signature googly that does the trick once again for him. Rashid tosses the ball up and gives it a nice rip, landing it full and outside off. Mahmudullah is forced to reach for it but doesn't get to the pitch of the ball and it turns it sharply to beat bat and pad and hammer into the stumps. Afghanistan in the ascendancy now as Bangladesh have now lost half their side.

Tad short and turning into middle, Mahmudullah rocks back and jams it down to mid on.

Drops the length short around leg, Towhid Hridoy goes deep in his crease and works it with an open stance past square leg for another single.

Nice and full on off, Mahmudullah plays the cover drive wide of long off and picks up a single.

Marginally short and around off, Mahmudullah latches onto the width and cuts it through cover-point for a run.

This is darted in at the stumps, Mahmudullah backs away and pushes it out to mid off.

Mahmudullah is in next.

OUT! CAUGHT That is a stunning catch from Azmatullah Omarzai and the return of AM Ghazanfar has proved a masterstroke from Hashmatullah Shahidi. Ghaznafar tosses the ball up, a bit full and angles it into the pads. Mehidy Hasan goes down on one knee to sweep but gets a top edge that flies away wide of fine leg. Azmatullah Omarzai from short fine leg runs towards the ball and keeps his eyes on the prize before putting in a big dive and holding on with both hands. Both set batters now dismissed while looking to sweep.

Slides this one well wide of the off stump line, Mehidy Hasan opens the face of the blade and guides it straight to short third.

Flat again and on off, Hridoy pushes the ball away wide of covers and turns the strike over.

Beaten! AM Ghazanfar comes back in and pushes it through quick and around off, Towhid Hridoy backs away to cut but is beaten past the outside edge. Hald a shout for caught behind as well and there was a noise.

Nicely tossed up, full and on middle, Hasan drives it back to the bowler once again.

Flatter one on middle and leg, skidding on with the arm, Towhid Hridoy manages to jam it out past square leg for a single.

Full and straight at the stumps, Hridoy plays it straight back to the bowler.

Flighted down leg, Mehidy Hasan fails to clip it away and the ball goes off the pads down to short fine leg for a leg bye.

Tossed up at the stumps, a hint of turn there as well, Hasan manages to block it on the off side.

Full and drifting into the pads, Tanzid Hasan squeezes it off the outer half of the bat and past covers for a single.

Just a single off that over and the Afghan spinners are really suffocating the Bangladeshi batters. Flatter one, pushed through a bit full on middle, Hasan punches it away straight to mid on.

In and around the off stump line, pushed out on the off side but can't find the gap again.

A huge appeal from Rashid Khan for LBW but the umpire remains unmoved and Afghanistan don't have any reviews left either. It ios the googly that is drifted onto the pads, Mehidy Hasan looks to work it away but gets it off the pads onto the leg side. There might have been some glove involved as well.

Flatter one angling it down leg, Towhid Hridoy gets pegged back and dabs it down to fine leg for a single.

Just drags the length back a touch and bowls it around off, Hridoy plays it from the crease and towards cover.

Tossed up quite full and straight, Hridoy jams it down to mid on.

Angles this one into middle and leg, Hasan works it away to mid-wicket.

Play and a miss! Just a tad short and around the fifth stump line, Mehidy Hasan rocks back to cut but is beaten by some extra bounce.

Fired in full on off, Towhid Hridoy drives it firmly and along the turf down to long off for one more.

Darted in at the pads, nudged away behind square leg for a single by Hasan.

Floated up a bit, full and on middle, Hasan leans right on and makes the block.

Pushed through flatter and at the stumps, Towhid Hridoy works it away from the crease and through mid-wicket for a single.

On a length around off and sliding on, Hridoy makes room and cuts it wide of short third for a quick single. Bangladesh now need 112 runs off 138 balls and that required rate is slowly rising up.

Tosses this one up on the stumps, Mehidy Hasan presents the full face of the bat and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Fractionally short and outside off, Hridyo backs away and cuts it through cover-point for a single.

Bowls this one on off stump, Towhid Hridoy stays back and punches it away towards cover.

Nagging length in and around off, Hridoy dabs it away in front of point for another dot.

Rashid is back on and bowls it flat and quick around off, Towhid Hridoy rocks back and just jams it out towards point.

Dropped a tad short on the pads, worked away past square leg for a single by Hridoy.

Towhid Hridoy is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! There's that wicket, Mohammad Nabi was bowling a lovely spell and does finally have a breakthrough. Nabi stays around the wicket and floats the ball up on the pads, on a length and angles it down leg. Najmul Hossain Shanto gets down to sweep but gets a top edge that goes just wide of short fine Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghan skipper almost spills a straightforward chance but manages to hang on after a long juggling act. Shanto departs and Afghanistan get rewarded for some right bowling.

1 run, the paddle is out and it fetches the batter a run through fine leg.

No run, a gentle push by the batter but cannot pierce the gap.

1 run, that is just a mere push for a run.

No run, the batter looks to play that but is comprehensively beaten.

1 run, that is punched off the back foot for a single.

No run, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

No run, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

Dropped fractionally short around off, Hasan makes room and pushes it away towards sweeper cover for a single.

Angled in at the pads, flicked away towards mid-wicket. Another dot.

Wicket-to-wicket bowling as this is aimed right around middle, Mehidy Hasan strides ahead and blocks it down the pitch.

Full and angled in down leg, Hasan fails to tickle it away and no wide called, the ball might have brushed the pad there.

Just short! Nicely tossed up, a tad full and on off, this one angles in and then turns away. Shanto looks to play with soft hands but gets a gentle outside edge that falls in front of Naib at first slip.

Flatter delivery, at just 82 clicks and around off, Shanto hops back and dabs it down to short third.

Tossed up around off, Shanto leans across and pushes it out towards cover.

1 run, played towards mid on.

Full and quick as well at the stumps, nudged away off the inner half of the blade past square leg for a single.

Tossed up outside off and turning away, Shanto attempts the reverse sweep but is beaten by the turn.

Nagging length around off, and turning in, Shanto stays back and jabs it wide of mid on for one more.

Just a tad short and around off, Hasan rocks back and punches it with the turn past cover-point for a single.

Tossed up on middle, full as well, Hasan leans on to defend.

On off, this one seemed to turn a bit, Hasan plays it watchfully and dabs it down to point.

Angled in at the pads again, Hasan blocks it in front of mid-wicket.

Fired in at the pads, nudged away around the corner towards short fine leg.

No run, a gentle push by the batter but cannot pierce the gap.

Nagging length, angled in from outside off and leaving the batter, Shanto gets pegged back and dabs it down towards short third where the fielder makes a sharp stop.

A bit more round arm, floated up full and on off, Shanto pushes it out on the off side.

On the pads, worked away around the corner for a quick single.

Quicker delivery, not quite full and around off, Hasan blocks it from deep inside the crease.

SIX! BANG! Nicely tossed up on middle, into the hitting arc as well. Mehidy Hasan skips down the pitch and keeps a solid base before hammering it straight back down the ground for a biggie.

Floated up at just 80 clicks and on the pads, this one slips down leg and Mehidy Hasan misses the flick. Wide called and Ikram Alikhil spills the ball again.

Drifted into the pads, worked away past square leg for a single by Hasan.

A bit of turn there! Slightly full and on middle, turning away late, Mehidy Hasan plays it right under the eyes.

On a length and sliding onto the pads, flicked away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Quick and flat around off, Shanto looks to rock back and cuts but gets it nowhere.

Fires it in again, on a length and into the pads, Shanto plays all over it and ends up getting hit on the pads.

Nagging length, quicker and sliding onto off, Najmul Hossain Shanto plays it off the back foot onto the leg side.

Flatter trajectory, bowled at the stumps, Mehidy Hasan nudges it away on the on side.

Drags the length back, bowling it onto middle and leg, worked away off the back foot and through square leg for one.

FOUR! Great adjustment from Shanto and that is a top shot. Floated up full and around off again, Shanto brings out the reverse sweep and nails it past backward point for a boundary. The 100 is up for Bangladesh.

Beaten again! Slows it up and slides it in from outside off, getting some turn again, Shanto looks to block but misses.

Lovely delivery! Bowled from around the wicket, a bit more round arm, angled in and getting it to move away, Najmul Hossain Shanto pushes at it but is beaten past the outside edge.

Nabi is back on and floats this one up outside off, Mehidy Hasan gets inside the line and paddles it over short fine leg and into the deep for a single.

Straighter line this time from Rashid, flatter on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto rocks back to defend it with a straight bat.

Darted in at the pads, tucked away around the corner for another single by Hasan.

Good, positive running! Fuller in length and on off, Shanto squeezes it away to the right of covers and scampers through for another run.

Slightly tossed up, full and outside off, driven on the up and square through the off side for a single.

Flatter one, drifted onto middle and leg, Hasan gets on the back foot and pushes it in front of square leg.

Nicely played! Leg-break on off and turning away, Mehidy Hasan plays it late and fine of the fielder ats hort third for a couple of runs.

Attacks the stumps! Hasan looks to defend. This goes off the inner half through square leg for one.

On the pads. This is flicked down to fine leg for one.

Outside off. Shanto looks to cut but chops it on the off side.

Around off. This is worked to mid-wicket.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided. He's getting the ball to turn a little.

Flatter and on middle. Shanto looks to play a paddle sweep but it goes off the toe end to mid-wicket.

Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover for one.

Beaten! Flatter and outside off. This lands and spins away. Shanto is beaten as he looks to defend.

ANOTHER REVIEW LOST! This too has pitched outside leg. This lands and then spins back in. Shanto misses the flick and is hit on the pad. Desperate again.

Chance goes down! This time it is Naib! These chances not taken won't help. This lands on off. It is the leg spinner. Hasan looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge. Naib at first slip is late to react to his left and it goes down towards third man for three.

On middle. This is pushed back to the bowler.

Lands short! Around off. This lands and spins away. Hasan looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge and lands short of first slip.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

Flatter and on off. Hasan looks to defend with soft hands. It goes off the outside edge, all along the ground to first slip.

SIX! Smashes! Over the fence. This is banged in short and on the body. Shanto was ready for it. He gets into position early and then pulls it over the fine leg fence. Top shot.

Fuller and on middle. Shanto drives it but to mid on.

Around off. Length. Shanto waits and then guides it to point.

Half an appeal but turned down! Pitching outside leg. On the pads. Shanto looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Around off. Defended.

Goes short this time. It is pulled through mid-wicket. Two taken.

Drinks break! The game hangs well in the balance but Bangladesh seem to be just nudging ahead. Afghanistan are creating opportunities but need to seize them as one big stand can cut a big hole into the deficit here.d

Outside off. This is pushed past cover for one.

Was that a chance? Don't think so. That though was a beauty! This lands on middle, a lot slower and spins away. Shanto looks to flick but is beaten. The keeper fails to collect it cleanly.

Shanto continues to play with intent. Sees this is slightly short and pulls it through mid-wicket. Two taken.

Around off again. Just taps it towards cover and gets to the other end.

On middle. This is worked down to long on for one.

Flatter and on off. Hasan guides it to point for one.

Length again and around off. Shanto leans forward and plays it to cover.

Length and on off. Defended.

Outside off. Hasan opens the face of the bat and guides it past point for one.

Fuller and on off. Hasan drives but to mid off.

Is that another drop? That too was an easy chance. Nabi it is. Length and around off. Hasan pushes at it away from the body. It goes off the outside edge and Nabi at widish first slip, spills it. How costly will this prove now?

On middle. This stays a touch low. Defended well.

Another googly! On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

That seemed like the googly. It lands outside off and spins back in. Kept out.

Flatter and on middle. Kept out.

On middle. Blocked.

On the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.

Almost strikes on his first ball! On middle. This turns back in a little. Shanto looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Drinks break! With the fall of that wicket, the umpires call for a refreshment break. After the early breakthrough provided by AM Ghazanfar, Bangladesh have countered really well and were starting to race ahead but this wicket now might peg this back a couple of notches. Rashid Khan is yet to bowl and he will be key in this middle phase. Mehidy Hasan walks in at number 4 and just on queue, Rashid comes on to bowl.

OUT! Taken! Sarkar falls this time. Azmatullah Omarzai with a well-deserved wicket and his team needed this. These two were going great guns. Sarkar on the other hand, falls yet again after getting off to a start. On middle. Shorter. This is pulled. It flies off the top edge towards fine leg. The fielder there, Fazalhaq Farooqi makes no mistake. Well-judged catch as he takes it just inside the ropes.

A loud appeal but turned down! On the pads. Sarkar looks to flick but misses. Review taken but it is a poor one. It is pitching outside leg. Afghanistan lose one. Desperate review it seemed.

Swing and a miss! Shorter and outside off. Sarkar looks to pull but misses.

DROPPED! That should have been taken! The substitute keeper, Ikram Alikhil the culprit here. A good short one outside off. Shanto looks to drag it over the leg side but it goes off the top edge in the square leg region. Alikhil runs and looks to jump and take it in the end but spills it.

On the pads. Sarkar looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.

Length again and on off. Blocked.

Dot to end but an expensive start! Length and on off. Kept out.

Fuller and on middle. Shanto drives but back to the bowler.

FOUR! Drilled down the ground! Fifty partnership up too. These two are taking the game away. This is on off. It is hit hard past mid off and it races away.

Length and outside off. Sarkar guides it past point for one. The ball seems to be skidding onto the bat really nicely.

FOUR! Short of authority. Slightly fuller this time and on off. Sarkar lofts it over mid off and this goes to the fence.

Length to begin with. On off. This is guided to point.

Powerplay 2! The field can now spread as Afghanistan are allowed as many as four players outside the ring till over number 40.

On the pads. Sarkar looks to flick but misses. This hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.

Around off. Sarkar pushes it to covers.

On off. Defended.

Sarkar misses out! On the pads. Sarkar looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Length and around off. Sarkar plays it late and on the off side.

Around off. Sarkar guides it to point.

FOUR! Nice and fine! Excellent placement. This is on the pads. Shanto clips it wide of short fine leg and this races away to the fence.

SIX! He does make full use of it. This is slower. It is tossed up on middle. Shanto does well to wait and then slams it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Fires the Free Hit delivery down the leg side for a wide. Sarkar swings but misses. The keeper fails to take it cleanly. A run taken. Shanto can make use of the Free Hit now.

Flatter and on off. Sarkar plays it late and guides it to point. AM Ghazanfar has nothing behind the line and it is called a NO ball for overstepping. Free Hit to follow...

Easy! Shows the full face of the bat and strokes it down to long off for one.

Fuller and on off. Shanto drives but to covers.

On middle. Blocked.

Angled into middle. This is worked to mid-wicket. Shanto wants a run but is sent back.

Around off. Hossain guides it past point for one.

Outside off. Sarkar guides it down to third man for one.

FOUR! Pulled away! On the body. Sarkar pulls it through square leg. This one races away to the fence in no time.

Length and on off. Sarkar guides it to point.

Uh, oh! Not a good sign for Afghanistan as Mohammad Nabi has started to hobble here. He did play a long knock in warm conditions, so, hopefully, it is just cramps. Afghanistan have already lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz early on and now Nabi is off the field. Darwish Rasooli comes on as the substitute fielder and Azmatullah Omarzai will finish Nabi's over.

FOUR! Hits it uppishly but in the gap! On middle. This is whipped wide of mid on. A little too full. This races away.

Tossed up on middle. Sarkar lunges and defends.

On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle. Kept out.

Goes short and around off. This is guided down to third man for one.

Top nut! Goes full this time! It swings back in late. Sarkar just in time, gets his bat down and plays it to mid on. He hit his pad with the bat and hence, there was an appeal.

Attacks the stumps now! On middle. Defended.

FOUR! Up and over! Sarkar is dealing in boundaries and Farooqi is leaking boundaries! Full and outside off. This is carved over point and it races away.

Lovely drift again! Slows it up a touch, bowling it full and around off, this one angles in late. Soumya Sarkar leans on to block but gets an inside edge through backward square leg for a single.

Nice and full around middle, Sarkar leans on and drives it along the turf towards mid on.

Pushed through a bit quicker and shorter outside off, skidding through, Sarkar rocks back and jams it out in front of point.

Nagging length, drifting into the pads from around middle, Shanto works it around the corner for a single.

Excellent fielding from Rashid Khan! Short and wide, Najmul Hossain Shanto backs away and punches it sweetly to the right of covers but Rashid makes a sharo diving stop.

Full and around off, played on the up and driven down to long off for an easy single by Sarkar.

Lovely delivery! Keeps pitching the ball up and angles this one in from outside off but the ball swings away late, Najmul Hossain Shanto looks to have a poke at it but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Pitched up wide of the off stump, seaming away late as well, Shanto watches it go past him and through to the keeper.

FOUR! Nicely played! Full and drifting into the pads, Najmul Hossain Shanto uses his wrists and flicks it away well in front of square on the leg side and gets off the mark with a boundary.

Good length at the pads, tucked away down to fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Streaky but will do nicely for Soumya Sarkar. Pitched up full and wide, swinging further away, Sarkar throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge that flows over the fielder at first slip for a boundary.

Just short of a good length and over middle, slanting back in, Sarkar stays back and just dabs it down on the leg side.

Wicket-maiden for AM Ghazanfar! This is pushed through quicker and a tad shorter outside off, Najmul Hossain Shanto rocks back to cut but almost chops the ball back onto the stumps.

Nagging length again, just drifting into the pads, Najmul Hossain Shanto is taken aback but manages to jam it out on the off side.

Bowled flatter now and on a length around off, angling in, Shanto hops back and tucks it away onto the leg side.

Darted in a bit, on a nagging length and on off, Najmul Hossain Shanto manages to jam the ball out.

Floated up a bit now and bowled full around off, Shanto gets forward and pushes it away to mid off.

The skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto is in at number 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! The mystery spinner has struck early for Afghanistan. AM Ghazanfar continues from around the wicket and flicks this one from the front of the hand, a bit full and on off. Tanzid Hasan opts to play it off the back foot instead of going forward and the ball skids on with the arm. It takes a feather of an inside edge and castles into the stumps. Tanzid is left bamboozled and Bangladesh lose their first wicket.

Gets enough bat on that one! Length ball on off, Soumya Sarkar tries to get under it and lifts it high and over the cover region. The ball plugs in the outfield and they pick up a couple of runs.

A loose drive from Sarkar after the dot ball pressure but he gets away with it. Full and wide, trying to swing it away, Sarkar throws his hands at the cover drive but is a bit early in his shot and chips it in front of Mohammad Nabi at covers.

That in-between length now and targeting the off and middle stump line, Sarkar watches it all the way and blocks it with a straight bat. Four dots on the trot though.

Slightly pitched up again and around off, this one shapes back in, Sarkar gets a good stride across and blocks it off.

Good-length delivery and in the channel around off, Sarkar gets on the front foot again and drives it straight to covers.

Pitches the ball up on off stump, shaping it away nicely as well, Sarkar prods and just eases it wide of mid off for no run.

Fired in again, full and wide, Tanzid jams the ball out through the cover region and picks up a couple of runs.

BEATEN! Darted in at almost 99 KPH and a bit full and outside off, just nibbling away. Tanzid Hasan rocks back to cut but misses.

Quicker through the air, a tad full on off and this one skids on with the arm Tanzid manages to block it off.

Flatter one, darted into the pads, Sarkar turns it past square leg for a single.

Tossed up a bit and around off, Soumya Sarkar leans on and strokes it away to covers.

Starts from around the wicket and bowls it full and at the toes, Tanzid Hasan jams it out behind square leg and picks up a single.

AM Ghazanfar, the mystery spinner to operate from the other end. Also, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is seen sitting in the dug out due to an injury and won't take the field in the chase.

Pitches the ball up again and bowls it outside off, Sarkar gets nicely forward and plays it on the up but straight to covers. 6 off the first over of the chase.

Pitched up outside off, shaping well away from the left-hander, Soumya Sarkar looks to have a poke at it but decides against it.

Oh, how has that missed the stumps? Bowled on a hard length and around off, this one skids on, Sarkar tries to play it late but the ball comes off the face of the bat and just bounces over the top of off stump.

Good length again, this time in the channel outside off and gently swinging away, Soumya Sarkar leaves it alone.

Good-length delivery, aimed in at the stumps, Sarkar solidly blocks it off.

FOUR! A lovely shot to get off the mark from Soumya Sarkar! Overpitched and outside off, Sarkar gets on the front foot and punches it firmly through covers for the first boundary of the chase.

TWO WIDES! Fazalhaq Farooqi starts off with a loosener here. Comes from over the stumps and angles it full and down leg, swinging as well, Tanzid Hasan misses the flick and the ball goes past the keeper. A single taken as well.

OUT! RUN OUT! That's it, Bangladesh have finally managed to bundle out Afghanistan but Shoriful Islam is visibly upset and rightly so. Gull and straight from Shoriful, angling in, Kharote squeezes it out towards deep mid-wicket and picks up a single but they want two again and start running. Towhid Hridoy fires in a throw at the bowler's end and Shoriful takes off the bails. Fazalhaq Farooqi is well short and Afghanistan finish with 235 on the board.

There should never have been two there. Full and tailing into the legs, Kharote takes the front leg out and jams it towards deep mid-wicket. They pick up a single and Fazalhaq Farooqi pushes for the double. Kharote runs towards the danger end and dives in to safety, poor throw from the deep as well.

Good running and presence of mind as well. Full and straight right in the blockhole, Kharote with an attempted helicopter shot and this is squeezed away past square leg for a couple of runs.

Bowled well into the deck and around off, Nangeyalia Kharote looks to go hard at the pull but there's not much room and this is miscued down to mid on.

Bowled short and around leg, Kharote manages to pull it away behind square leg and picks up a single to keep strike for the start of the next over.

Goes wider of the crease and howls it on a hard length, angling it back in from outside off, Kharote looks to cut again but misses.

FOUR! Another top shot from Kharote! Mustafizur Rahman goes back to the slower one and bowls it short and wide this time, Kharote backs away and smashes the cut shot past point for another boundary.

Bowled short and at the bodyline, Kharote looks to pull but misses and wears it on the biceps.

Much better from the Fizz! Seam-up this time, on a good length and around off, coming back in sharply, Kharote looks to block but is well beaten.

SIX! Nangeyalia Kharote, you beauty! Too predictable from Mustafizur Rahman, full and wide as well. Kharote stays back and sets himself well before smacking it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Excellent review! Hard-length delivery from Taskin Ahmed, on off and angling back in. Fazalhaq Farooqi gets pegged back and looks to block but is beaten past the outside edge and gets pinged on the pads. There is a loud appeal and the finger is raised but it is reviewed. Nothing on UltraEdge but Ball Tracking shows that it is too high and the decision is reversed.

No hat-trick! Goes full and straight again, Fazalhaq Farooqi is expecting the same and is able to get his bat down in time and blocks it off.

OUT! TIMBER! Taskin Ahmed with the double whammy! Taskin goes quick and straight and full at the stumps to the new batter. AM Ghazanfar hangs back and gives himself room to smash the ball away but misses. The ball castles into the stumps and all of a sudden Taskin is on a hat-trick and it will be Fazalhaq Farooqi to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! CAUGHT! Taskin Ahmed gets the big fish and there will be no century for Mohammad Nabi but a fine, fine knock nonetheless from Mr. President. Taskin digs in a slower bumper and bowls it at an awkward line right around the face. Nabi looks to take it on but mistimes the pull high up towards deep square leg where Tanzid Hasan settles under it and completes a safe catch.

AM Ghazanfar is the next batter in.

WIDE! Slower one, bowled short and wide outside off, too wide though.

Dug in short now and angled well across off, Kharote reaches out and plays it through the cover region for a single.

FOUR! Nangeyalia Kharote getting into the act now! Back of a length and outside off, Kharote hangs back and cuts it firmly and well behind point for a boundary.

Slower one, floated full and angled into the pads, Kharote gets an outside edge that rolls down to short third for a single.

Good length around middle and leg, pushed away in front of mid-wicket for a quick single right after the big hit.

SIX! Up, up and away! Pace off again from Mustafizur Rahman, dug in short and over middle. Mohammad Nabi read it brilliantly and waited for it before muscling it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Slower one, the cutter from Fizz, bowled a bit full and wide, Kharote just taps it behind point for a single.

Handy runs again! Slower one, on a length and just angled down leg, Kharote misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads down to fine leg and they pick up a couple of leg byes now. Sloppy fielding again from Bangladesh.

Banged in short and at the better, Nangeyalia Kharote looks to pull but gets a top edge over backward square leg and they somehow manage to scamper back for two runs.

They take the single on the last ball! Full and around off, Kharote leans on and drives it uppishly through covers for a single. He looked for the second run but Nabi rightly sent him back.

Full and angled right into the toes, Nangeyalia Kharote with a firm flick but straight to mid-wicket. Just a single so far in this over and there's one ball to go.

No run there! Pitched up on the stumps and angled in, Kharote blocks it straight to covers and looks for the single but Nabi is quick to send him back.

Banged in a bit short and around off, Kharote looks to duck but the ball goes past the off stump and through to the keeper. Kharote needs to rotate strike here.

Goes full and wide now, Nangeyalia Kharote looks to bludgeon the cover drive but miscues it straight to covers.

Hard length wide of the off stump, tapped away well in front of point for a quick single.

WIDE! Taskin will have to reload that one Attempted slower one, bowled into the pitch but angled down the leg side.

Bowled just back of a length and over middle, a bit slower too, Kharote nicely blocks it off.

Short ball, over middle and leg, Nabi gets on top of the bounce and pulls it down to deep backward square leg for just a single.

Kharote manages to get off strike! Full and straight, angling into the pads, Kharote misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads towards point. They pick up a leg bye.

Play and a miss! Shoriful goes full now and looks to angle it in from around off, Nangeyalia Kharote looks to drive against the angle but is beaten past the inside edge.

Good-length delivery, angling it wide of the off stump, Nangeyalia Kharote plays it nice and late but finds the fielder at backward point.

Bowled into the deck and outside off, Mohammad Nabi looks to cut but gets it off the bottom of the bat and just towards extra cover for a single.

This one is dragged down a bit over middle, Mohammad Nabi sets up to heave but hits it straight to deep mid-wicket for a single.

On the shorter side again, Nangeyalia Kharote backs away and cuts it through covers for one more.

Quick and short, cut away through cover-point for a single by Nabi.

Floated up, a bit full and around off, Nabi strokes it away towards cover-point.

Quicker and flatter, pushed through on off, Nabi keeps it out.

On that is sloppy in the field yet again from Bangladesh. Dropped a bit short on middle, turning away, Mohammad Nabi punches it away down to wide long on for and pushes for two but the fielder misfields and it turns out to be an easy second run in the end.

A short ball now, not all that quick and over middle, Nangeyalia Kharote manages to duck under the ball even after it didn't get up much.

Pitched up around off, Kharote looks to drive on the up but gets it off the outer half towards point.

Nangeyalia Kharote is the next batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shoriful Islam gets his first wicket and a big one at that as well. This is dug in well short and right at the batter, Rashid gets into an awkward position and tries to hook it away with some sort of a tennis shot. Rashid ends up jamming it straight into the hands of Mustafizur Rahman at mid-wicket and he makes no mistake. Afghanistan now 189/7.

Good length again and around off, just eased away wide of point for a quick single.

Excellent running yet again! Back of a length and around off, punched away from the crease and just wide of deep covers for a quick couple of runs.

Takes pace off and bowls it into the pitch around middle, Rashid Khan stands tall and forces it through mid on for a single.

Bowled flatter and on off, punched away through covers for a single.

Fired in full and on the pads, Rashid sweeps it straight to short fine leg.

FOUR! Some aggression now from Rashid and he gets a big chunk of it as well. Tossed up outside off, Rashid steps out and makes room before lifting it over covers for a boundary.

Tossed up again and at the off stump line, Rashid Khan solidly blocks it off.

Nicely bowled! Floated up, full and around off, this one goes on with the arm, Rashid Khan looks to block but is beaten past the outside edge.

Flatter one on middle, sits up for the batter, Nabi pushes it down to long on and turns the strike.

Good-length delivery attacking the stumps again, Rashid Khan stays watchful and keeps it out.

Slower one, floated up full and at the stumps, Rashid opts to just block it off.

Two more! Good length around off, Khan stays back and opens the bat face before angling it away fine of deep point for another brace.

Lovely shot to get going! Nice and full around off, Rashid Khan leans into the drive and strokes it past the diving fielder at covers for a couple of runs.

Rashid Khan is the next batter in.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Mustafizur Rahman finally breaks the stand and gets his fourth wicket. Fizz takes pace off again and just bowls this one on a good length and around the fifth stump line, looking to angle it back in. Hashmatullah Shahidi stays rooted to the crease and just looks to guide it away but the inside edge is found and the ball goes back on to hit the stumps. Shahidi departs after a captain's knock.

Goes straight up in the air but lands safely once again as Mohammad Nabi keeps getting the rub of the green. Slower bumper, angled across the off stump, Nabi looks to take it on but gets a top edge that lands well short of deep third and picks up a single.

Powerplay 3! Bangladesh are now allowed a maximum of five fielders outside the inner ring till the end of the innings.

Bowled flatter and into the batter, Shahidi jams it back to the bowler.

Pushed through a bit quicker and fuller at the stumps, Nabi drives it down to long on and rotates the strike once again.

Slightly shorter and angled into the pads, flicked away through square leg for a single.

On a length and around middle, Nabi pushes this one down to long on for one more.

Dropped short around middle, Shahidi stays back and just chips it down to long on for one and the 100-run stand is up between these two.

SAFE! That could have been a very unnecessary way to depart. Tossed up from around the stumps, Shahidi uses his feet and pushes it to the left of extra cover and looks to jog for the single. Rishad Hossain there comes across and gets the left boot in to make the stop and Shahidi has to scamper back. The throw comes in at the keeper's end but Shahidi spaces by the barest of margins.

Is that a run out? This looks close and the third umpire is called in. Oh, the first replays show that Hashmatullah Shahidi might be just inside the line when the bails are completely off. Mushfiqur Rahim did dislodge the bails when the bat was on the line but the bails just came off a second too late. NOT OUT!

FOUR! Poor delivery, rightly punished! Slower and shorter aimed at the hips, Mohammad Nabi stays put and bludgeons it through backward square leg for a boundary.

Good length, bowled a bit wider of the off stump, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets across and plays it sweetly on the up to deep cover for a single. That will be FIFTY for the Afghan skipper as well and now this partnership has moved on to 95 runs.

On a hard length and in the channel outside off, Shahidi hangs back and plays it square towards point.

Slower delivery, on a good length around middle and leg, nudged away down to fine leg for a single.

Back of a length over middle, bowled with an upright seam, Nabi stands tall and punches it towards mid off.

Fizz returns and begins from over the wicket, pitching it up on the pads, Nabi flicks it towards mid-wicket.

On middle. This is hit down to long on for one.

On middle. Nabi works it to mid-wicket.

EDGY FOUR! Flatter and outside off. Nabi slashes at it. This goes off the outside edge down to the third man fence.

On middle. This is played down to long on for one.

Flatter and on off. This is defended.

On middle. This is hit down to long on for one.

A single to end! On off. This is pushed past cover for one.

Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.

That lands safe! Nabi almost throws it away. He looks to go big immediately after getting to his half ton. Tossed up on off. This lands and turns away. Nabi looks to go big but it goes more off the toe end but long off couldn't get to it. A run.

Two! Fifty for Nabi. A superb knock from him. Came out when his side was in trouble and has counter attacked brilliantly. Gets there by cutting this through point for two. Needs to bat long though, job is not done yet.

On middle. This is pushed down to cover.

On middle. Kept out.

Fuller and on off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

That's outstanding running! Angled into the pads. Nabi works it to short fine leg. The fielder misfields. Two taken.

Tossed up on off. This is driven to covers.

Flatter and on middle. Nabi punches it back to the bowler.

On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

Flatter and on middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle. Blocked towards mid on.

Length and on off. This is driven to cover.

Around off. This is punched past cover for one.

Outside off. This is driven through covers for one.

FOUR! Top shot! Shorter and on middle. He rides on top of the bounce and then pulls it through square leg. This races away to the fence.

Outside off. This is pushed past cover for one.

Wxcellent running! On middle. This is worked with soft hands towards mid-wicket. Two.

Another single as this is hit down to long on.

On middle. This is pushed down to long off for one.

A loud shout but turned down! That looked close! Around off. Nabi goes down on one knee and looks to sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. If no glove there, that was plumb. There may have been some glove. The replays later show that there was no glove and what a let off as Bangladesh didn't even review at such a vital juncture.

Shahidi looks to go big. He steps out but does not get to the pitch of it. Swings, it goes off the inner half through square leg for one.

Outside off. This is pushed past cover for one.

Back of a length and on off. Blocked.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

Fuller and on middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Angled into middle. This is pushed to mid on.

This time hits it through the left of the point fielder and to sweeper cover for one.

Finds point again as he cuts this short ball but can't find the gap.

Around off. This is guided to point.

Close! On middle. Shahidi looks to defend, it goes off the inside edge past the leg pole and down to short fine leg for one.

This time he hits it a lot straighter and down to long on for one.

Angled into the pads. This is clipped to mid-wicket again.

On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle. This is worked down to long on for one. Milking the singles at the moment.

On the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.

Misses! Tries to play an upper cut to this short one outside off. No connedtion.

Angled into the pads. This is clipped through square leg for one.

Around off. This is pushed through covers for one.

Wrong end! On off. This is pushed to cover. They take off for one. Shahidi stops and then goes for it but the fielder has a shy at Nabi's end which is the bowler's end and misses.

Short again. This time it is pulled to square leg. A slight misfield. A run taken.

Banged in short and on middle. This is pulled but to mid-wicket.

Steps out and then drives it to long on for one.

On the stumps. This is played back to the bowler.

Angled into the pads. This is flicked through square leg for one.

On middle. This is worked down to long on for one.

On the stumps. This is pushed down to long on for one.

On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

Drinks break! This has been a good fightback from Afghanistan after that burst from Mustafizur Rahman after the first Powerplay. Skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi has played a nice anchoring knock and Mohammad Nabi has just come in and taken on the bowlers, hitting young leggie Rishad Hossain off his length. Bangladesh know that a couple of wickets here and they will still be able to get the opposition out for a low score but things seem to be getting really interesting now. Let's see how the next phase pans out.

Fullish and on off. Nabi pushes it towards covers and takes one.

On middle. Shahidi pushes it to mid on and takes a quick run.

Outside off. Holds in the surface a touch. Nabi looks to push at it but it goes off the inner half down to the fine leg fielder for one.

Good length and on middle. Defended.

Shortish and on middle. This is pulled through square leg for one.

Outside off. Length. This is guided past point for two.

On middle. This is hit to the right of the bowler who moves there but almost collides with the batter. He stretches his right leg out and stops the ball.

Angled into middle. Nabi works it to mid-wicket.

On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

Tossed up on off. This is pushed to cover.

Flatter and on middle. Kept out.

Flatter and outside off. This is guided past point for two.

A biggie and five singles from the over! On middle. This is nudged on the leg side for one.

Flatter and on off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

This is what Shahidi needs to do. He works it through square leg and takes one.

Fuller and outside off. This is driven past cover for one.

SIX! If it's in the slot, Nabi will hit it out of the park. Tossed up but a little too full. On off. He drags it over the long on fence for a biggie. Towering stroke.

On the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.

On a dragged length and at the batter, Nabi pushes it back to the bowler.

Bowled a bit fuller and around off, Shahidi just bunts it out wide of point and pinches the single to bring up the 100 for Afghanistan.

Around the wicket to the left-hander, floated full and wide, Shahidi eases it away behind point.

Mahidy bowls it into the pitch and at the batter, Mohammad Nabi punches it wide of mid on and picks up a single.

Another one that is pushed through quicker and at the stumps, Nabi plays it with soft hands towards mid on.

Fired in flatter and just down leg, Nabi clips it off the pads to short fine leg.

On a length and around off, patted away through the cover region for a single by Nabi. At the halfway stage, Afghanistan are 98/5!

Floated up on a nagging length and on off, dipping a bit as well, Nabi watchfully blocks it off.

The call is for two and they get it with ease. Tossed up outside off, Nabi extends his arms and plays it on the up and wide of deep third for a brace.

WIDE! Well short and bowled down the leg side, should have been put away but Mohammad Nabi fails to connect with the pull.

Rishad drags the length back now and bowls it around off, Shahidi backs away and plays it through cover-point for one.

Not all that full again and around off, Shahidi leans on and blocks it to the left of extra cover this time.

Nicely flighted, a bit full and on off, Shahidi leans on and blocks it towards cover.

Slower and shorter, angled in at the bodyline, Shahidi gets inside the line and pulls it down to fine leg for a run. Bangladesh need to be a bit more proactive as one good partnership could turns the tables quickly.

Hard length, in and around off, Shahidi stays upright and pats it down in front of point.

On a length and around off, pushed away on the up and through covers for an easy single.

Just back of a length and around off, Mohammad Nabi blocks it from the crease towards cover.

FOUR! Edged but safe! Seemed like the cutter, bowled a bit full and around off, Nabi looks to block but gets an outside edge well wide of the keeper and the ball rolls away into the deep third fence.

Pitched-up delivery on the leg stump line, Nabi flicks it straight to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

This one is bowled short around middle, Shahidi pulls it off the back foot and gets it behind deep square leg for a couple of handy runs.

Bowled flatter and around off, Shahidi rocks back and pats it back to the bowler.

On a dragged length around off, Shahidi uses his feet and ends up blocking it down the pitch.

A huge appeal from the keeper for caught behind but the umpire remains unmoved. Najmul Hossain Shanto has opted for the review. This is nicely bowled by Rishad Hossain, flighted up on a nagging length around off and gets it to just turn back in a bit. Hashmatullah Shahidi prods to defend but is beaten past the outside edge and the same is confirmed by UltraEdge. NOT OUT and Bangladesh burn a review!

Good, positive running right after the big hit. On a length and drifted into the pads, Nabi works it to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Wow, that is massive! Tossed up, right in the slot and on middle, Mohammad Nabi gets down on one knee and slogs it away into the roof over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie and that ball seems to have taken a beating.

Well bowled! A proper bumper now, dug in short and over off, Shahidi looks to pull but is well beaten.

Hard-length delivery around off, played away on the up and square through the off side for another run.

Another short ball, bowled slower and angled in around the helmet, Shahidi miscues the pull off the top edge and the ball rolls to fine leg for a single.

Play and a miss! This is dug in short and outside off, seemed like a change up, Shahidi looks to play the ramp but misses.

Back of a length and over middle, tucked away straight through mid-wicket for a single.

A loose delivery to begin the new spell. Angled down the leg side from around the stumps, Mohammad Nabi misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads down to fine leg. They get a couple of leg byes.

Shoriful Islam is now brought back into the attack.

Floated up around off, turning in, Shahidi gets a good stride in and makes the block.

Nagging length in and around off, Shahidi plays it out on the off side.

Dropped short and around off, hit away off the back foot and square towards deep point for a single by Nabi.

Pushed through a bit full on off, getting it to turn as well, Mohammad Nabi gets a big stride out and blocks it towards cover-point.

Good length on off, sliding on, Shahidi hops back and punches it across to covers for a single.

Nicely flighted, full and on off, Shahidi leans on and pushes it straight to mid off.

Mohammad Nabi is the new batter in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and Taskin Ahmed has finally done it! Taskin steams in and digs in another short ball around off, again it doesn't get up high enough. Gulbadin Naib looks to swivel and pull but hits it flat and hard but straight towards mid-wicket where Tanzid Hasan takes a sharp catch and Naib has to walk back after a promising start for 22 runs. Taskin is elated and Bangladesh have their fifth wicket.

A bit shorter and at the body, turned off the hips behind square leg for one more.

Good running! Goes full and looks to angle it into the legs, Naib jams it out wide of mid on for a quick single.

FOUR! Smacked away! Slower one, banged in short around off, this one sits up nicely for the batter. Gulbadin Naib waits well and slaps it away well in front of square on the leg side and picks up a boundary.

Good length on off, Gulbadin Naib holds his shape and plays an agricultural heave across the line, getting it through the gap at mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

In the air but lands safely! Dug in short around off, doesn't rise that high, Hashmatullah Shahidi isn't in control of the pull and gets a top edge that lands around the vacant mid-wicket region and the batters get a single.

Short and wide, a bit too wide and Shahidi has to reach for it. This is cut away to deep point for a single.

Fuller this time and on middle and leg, driven along the turf down to long on for a single.

Tossed up on a nagging length and around off, gets this leg break to turn as well, Gulbadin Naib leaves it alone.

Floated up in and around off, Shahidi waits and just taps it towards point for a single.

Darted in a bit full and on middle and leg, Shahidi takes the front leg out and jams it back to the bowler.

Nicely flighted to begin with from over the stumps, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to drive on the up but gets an outside edge towards short third.

Rishad Hossain now comes into the attack.

Hits the deck hard and angles it well into the bodyline, this time Shahidi manages to jam it out wide of mid-wicket and picks up a single to end another sedate over. Just a run off it.

Fuller in length and angled into the legs, Shahidi clips it away straight to mid-wicket.

Hard length around the top of off, cutting back into the left-hander, Shahidi hangs back and solidly blocks it off.

Banged in on a shortish length and angled into the body, Shahidi looks to swivel and pull but gets it nowhere.

Changes the angle of attack by coming around the stumps and bowls it on a hard length around off, Shahidi dabs it down towards backward point where Mehidy makes another sharp stop.

A beautiful piece of fielding from Mehidy Hasan! Back of a length and angling across off, Hashmatullah Shahidi hangs back and dabs it wide of backward point where Mehidy flies to his right and makes a one-handed stop.

On the stumps. Kept out!

Flatter and on off. Kept out.

On middle. Naib blocks.

Quick run! On middle. This is punched to mid on. A single taken.

Almost! This is outside off. Shahidi looks to drive. This goes off the inside edge just past the leg pole.

Quicker and on off. Blocked.

Angled into middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

Attacks the stumps again. Naib is solid in defense.

FOUR! Slapped away. That's hit hard! Length and outside off. Naib slams it past cover and this races away to the fence.

Around off. Naib guides it to point.

Angled into middle. Naib hangs back and defends.

Outside off. This is punched past cover for one.

Beaten! Flatter and outside off. Naib looks to defend but is beaten.

Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for one.

On the stumps. Blocked.

Quicker and on middle. Kept out.

Flatter and on off. This is pushed down to long on for one.

On the stumps. Blocked.

Outside off. Shahidi guides it to point.

On middle. Shahidi shows the full face of the bat and defends.

Length again and around off. Shahidi pushes it to cover.

Length and on middle. Kept out.

FOUR! Times it well down the ground! Fuller and on middle. Shahidi shows the full face of the bat and drives it down the ground and to the long on fence.

Angled into middle. Shahidi defends.

Another single to end the over! On off. This is eased down to long off for one.

Naib now takes one as he works this down to long on.

Beaten! Outside off. This goes on with the arm. Naib is beaten as he tries to defend.

Angled into the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.

Flatter and on middle. Blocked.

Fuller and on off. This is driven. Covers dives to his left and saves one.

Drinks break! This has been some start for Bangladesh, they got the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz quite early after which there was a sedate period and the debutant Sediqullah Atal really showed his class by playing a few delightful strokes. However, once Mustafizur Rahman was brought into the attack, things changed and he picked up three wickets to peg Afghanistan down a few notches and they really need to rebuild with plenty of time left in the first innings.

Drags the length back bowling it around the body, Naib plays it from the crease and flicks it towards the man in front of square leg.

FOUR! Lovely shot! A bit too full and on off stump, Gulbadin Naib brings out the straight drive and punches it back past the non-striker and into the long off fence.

Back of a length around middle and leg, Naib stays upright and pushes the ball down to mid on.

Slower one, dropped a bit short around leg, Gulbadin Naib tucks it off the hips and wide of fine leg for a couple of runs.

On a good length and in the channel around off, angling further away, Naib watches it well and lets it through to the keeper.

Half hearted appeal but LBW but the umpire turns it down. Just short of a good length around leg and it is the cutter that goes across the right-hander. Gulbadin Naib gets squared up and misses the flick, getting hit on the pads. Clearing pitching outside leg that one.

Shorter in length and a bit straighter as well, worked away through the gap at mid-wicket for a single by Naib.

On a slightly dragged length and attacking the stumps, Gulbadin Naib goes back and tucks it towards mid-wicket. Five dots on the trot now!

Pushed through a bit quicker and flatter around off, skidding on, Gulbadin Naib manages to block it off.

Short again and around off and middle, played from well within the crease towards mid on.

On the shorter side and at the stumps, turning in, Naib hangs back and works it just behind square leg.

Mehidy Hasan comes into the attack now and starts with a flatter one around off, Gulbadin Naib rocks back and plays it away to mid-wicket.

Powerplay 2! The fielding side is now allowed as many as four players outside the inner ring but Bangladesh might look to attack for a few more overs given the game situation.

It won't be a double-wicket maiden but still brilliant from Mustafizur Rahman. Back of a length around leg, nudged away past square leg for a single by Naib.

Gulbadin Naib walks in with Afghanistan in a spot of bother.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mustafizur Rahman on fire here! Lovely line and length from the Fizz. This is bowled just a tad full and on off, nibbling away from the right-hander. Azmatullah Omarzai looks to block off the front foot but pokes at it with and angled bat and a feather of an outside edge it found. Mushfiqur Rahim gobbles it up behind the stumps and Omarzai goes for a three-ball duck as the Fizz gets his third wicket.

Good length again in and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes it away wide of point and past the diving fielder but the fielder at backward point makes the stop.

Good length on off, just slanting away a touch, Azmatullah Omarzai solidly blocks it towards cover.

Azmatullah Omarzai is the new batter in.

OUT! LBW! A huge, huge appeal for LBW and eventually, the finger is raised. Mustafizur Rahman hurls in from over the wicket and goes a bit wide of the crease, bowling it fuller and angling it in from outside off. Sediqullah Atal looks to flick it away but plays all around the delivery and misses. The ball pings him on the pads and he has to walk back. No review taken and Atal goes for 21 off 30 on debut.

Hard-length delivery around off, angled in as well, Atal stands tall and punches it down to extra cover.

Angled into the stumps. Defended well.

On middle. Length. Shahidi gets right behind the line and keeps it out.

Another halt in play as now Shoriful Islam is down on his haunches and looks to be struggling with his fitness. The physio is out to have a look. Thankfully, Shoriful is fine and and we are good to continue...

Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.

Around off. Good length. Defended.

A loud appeal from the bowler and keeper but not given! The review too hasn't been taken. It maybe sliding down leg. On the pads. Atal looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Around off. Defended.

Angled into middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

Solid! Length and on off. Defended.

FOUR! Lovely timing! Good way to get off the mark! Outside off. Shahidi guides it past point and this races away to the fence. Just used the pace.

Beauty! Length and on off. This lands and moves away. Shahidi is beaten as he tries to defend.

The Afghan skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi is the new batter in.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! The ever reliable Shah is out of here. Fizz comes on and Fizz strikes. This is a very good start for Bangladesh! This is on a length and around off. It lands and angles away. Shah pokes at it. This goes off the outside edge and it is taken by the keeper.

Good length and around off. Defended.

Mustafizur Rahman comes into the attack now.

Fuller and around off. Shah drives it past cover for one.

Almost! Shah dances down the track and has a big swing at this length ball. It stays low and goes just past the off pole.

A good short one now. A real effort ball. Shah ducks under it.

Fuller and on off. Shah keeps it out.

Fuller and on off. Shah drives but finds cover.

Outside off. Shah shoulders arms to this one.

WIDE! This is angled well wide outside off. Left alone.

Well timed again! Fuller and around off. This is driven wide of mid off. Two again.

Two more! Not very short but the length is picked early. He pulls it through mid-wicket. Two taken.

FOUR! Very nicely played! Another boundary for Atal! Full and on off. He just lifts it over mid off and it races away. His third.

On middle. Atal works it to the man at mid-wicket.

Around off. Length. Defended.

Wide! Down the leg side. Atal looks to flick but misses.

Another small delay in proceedings as the ball seems to have been roughed up a bit and the umpires are wondering whether to replace it or snip off the hanging leather. It seems the ball is getting changed and the fourth umpire is out with a box of balls. It has been a very slow start to the game with only 5 overs bowled in the first half an hour. Things need to pick up pace now.

Good footwork! On middle. This is driven but the bowler stretches his left leg to that side and stops it.

On the pads. This is clipped down to fine leg for one.

Another beauty! This is angled into the off pole. It shapes away late. Atal looks to defend but is beaten.

Confusion but safe! On middle. This is pushed to mid on. They initially think of one but then Shah is sent back in time.

Uh, oh! Yet again the onfield umpires have received information that DRS is down and are just informing the two sets of players about the same.

Around off. Blocked.

Around off. Shaping away. Atal looks to push but is beaten.

Fuller and on middle. A little bit of shape back in. This is worked to square leg. A slight midfield and a run is taken.

FOUR! Two in a row! This almost carried all the way. Taskin wants to test him out with a short one again. This is on the body. It is pulled down to the fine leg fence. Two boundaries to end. That over will release a little bit of pressure that was building.

FOUR! Hammered! That's a shot of confidence! Wow! He's in brilliant form coming into this game and he has put that away with disdain. Short and on the body. He swivels and hammers it through square leg. No chance of stopping that.

Around off. Good length. Defended.

Yet another dot! Excellent stuff from the pacers so far. Not giving anything away. Outside off. Atal pushes it to cover.

Good length and around off. Atal pushes it to cover.

WIDE! Down the leg side this time. Atal misses the flick. Wided.

Just outside off. On a length. Left alone.

Full and on the pads. A little bit of shape into the batter. Shah looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

DRS is back up and running! A couple of deliveries ago, the onfield umpires told Najmul Hossain Shanto and the Afghan batters that there was some issue with DRS which meant a review could not have been taken but it is now fixed.

Length again and around off. Shah looks to push it on the off side but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler.

This is quite wide outside off. Shah does not play at it.

On middle. Fuller. This is clipped wide of mid on for one.

Nice shape! Lovely nut! Length and around off. This one shapes away. Atal looks to defend but is beaten.

On a length and around off. Atal gets right behind the line and defends.

A dot to end an impressive first over from Taskin! Hard-length delivery and around middle, Rahmat Shah stays watchful and just blocks it off.

Rahmat Shah walks in at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Taskin Ahmed draws first blood and Rahmanullah Gurbaz has to depart early. Taskin pitches the ball a bit further up and wide of the off stump line, Gurbaz is lazy to get his feet across and just reaches out for the drive. The ball nips away and catches the outside edge, going down to the right of the keeper. Mushfiqur Rahim dives across and pouches it nicely and Afghanistan are 7 for 1 inside the first 2 overs.

Good length again, around the top of off and angling back in, Gurbaz gets across a bit and blocks it straight down the pitch.

On a good length and aimed at the stumps, just tailing back in a bit, Atal looks to fetch and flick it across the line but gets an inside edge towards backward square leg for a single.

Just a smidge fuller and in the channel around off, Sediqullah Atal opts to hang back and is a bit late as he has to jam his bat down and the ball goes away towards first slip.

Steams in from over the stumps and hits the deck hard, bowling it around the leg pole, Atal gets a bit squared up but manages to block it down on the off side.

Uh, oh! Early trouble here for Rahmanullah Gurbaz and he seems to have pulled his hamstring here. Gurbaz seems in some discomfort and the physio is out to have a look. Hopefully, he is fine and can continue here. The positive news is that Gurbaz is back on his feet and the physio is heading back and the Afghan opener will continue. Also, it will be Taskin Ahmed to take the other new ball.

FOUR! Too and wide and Gurbaz ends the first over with a boundary. Shoriful drops it short and angles it well wide of the off stump, Gurbaz just reaches out and taps the ball into the gap between point and covers and the ball rolls away into the fence.

Sediqullah Atal is straightaway off the mark in international cricket! Just back of a length over middle, Atal stays compact and jabs the ball down in front of mid-wicket for a quick single.

Gurbaz and Afghanistan are underway! Shoriful goes full and straight, gets the ball to swing back in as well, Gurbaz looks to drive straight but gets it off the inner half of the bat wide of mid on for a quick single.

Drags the length back now and bowls it around middle and leg stump, angling it away, Gurbaz hops onto the back foot and blocks it down in front of covers.

Pitches the ball up again, a bit wide of the off stump, Gurbaz takes a couple of steps in front and plays it on the up but straight to mid off.

Right on the money! Starts from over the wicket and pitches the ball up around off stump, looking for that inswing, Rahmanullah Gurbaz covers the line well and blocks it off.

Done and dusted with the pre-match proceedings and it is now time to get the 300th international game at Sharjah underway! The umpires are out in the middle and the players of Bangladesh are spreading out on the field. It will be the debutant Sediqullah Atal to open the innings along with Rahmanullah Gurbaz for Afghanistan. Shoriful Islam has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are just a few minutes away from the start of the match but first, the two sets of players will lineup for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Bangladesh first followed by that of Afghanistan.

PITCH REPORT - Brian Murgatroyd is pitchside and he says that there is a breeze blowing from West to East and the straight boundaries are long with about 75 meters. Ramiz Raja says that nothing much has changed in Sharjah with regards to the surface in the last 40 years and it is a placid track.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the skipper of Bangladesh says that the boys are feeling good and ready to go and mentions that it is more about focusing on what they can do best rather than focusing on the opposition. Adds that they have a good batting lineup and Rishad Hossain is someone who has come into the ODI setup after impressing in the T20 World Cup.

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan says that they will bat first. The reason for that is the pitch looks good and the ball moves a bit under lights. Adds that Sediqullah Atal is all set to make his debut and have plenty of options in the bowling attack.

Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sediqullah Atal (On debut), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

TOSS - Afghanistan have won the toss and they will BAT first.

NEWS FLASH - There was news about a couple of Bangladeshi players awaiting their visas and it is now confirmed that fast bowler, Nahid Rana will not take part in the first ODI due to the same issue. Nasum Ahmed was another name that seemed to be awaiting his visa but he has arrived and will be one of Bangladesh's key spinners. Toss is now just a few minutes away.

Bangladesh on the other hand have a fairly experienced side and one that is well-suited to the ODI format. After their iconic red-ball triumph in Pakistan, Bangladesh were handed a couple of Test defeats by India after being completely demolished in the T20 format by the same opposition. This is their chance to regain a bit of lost momentum and the pitches in Sharjah should suit their style of play as well. So, who do you think will come out trumps in the series opener? We shall find out in due time. Toss and teams news in a bit, so, don't go anywhere.

Afghanistan recently welcomed South Africa on a white-ball tour in the UAE and got a couple of massive wins in the ODI format here in Sharjah as well. Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the side that features a couple of hopeful debutants in the form of wrist-spinner Sediqullah Atal and pacer Bilal Sami with Mujeeb still out due to injury. They are missing a big name in Ibrahim Zadran up top but do have a well-rounded team to take on a somewhat sluggish Bangladesh side.

Hello and a warm welcome to our coverage of Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Sharjah. Bangladesh are the visiting team as they take on Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series in good preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy early in 2025. Both teams will be looking to put their best foot forward and this could be a big opportunity for a few of the fringe players to take centerstage as well.

... MATCH DAY ...

With a whirlwind of international matches fueling the passion of cricket fans worldwide, two Asian powerhouses are set to clash in an eagerly anticipated 3-match ODI series. Afghanistan will take on Bangladesh in a showdown at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with all three games set in this historic venue. Not long ago, Afghanistan etched its name in cricket history at this very ground, claiming their first-ever ODI series win against a top-five ranked team by defeating South Africa 2-1. Once seen as an emerging team, Afghanistan has stormed up the rankings, now standing as a formidable force on the international stage. This time, they return to Sharjah with a couple of additions to the squad with opening batter Sediqullah Atal coming in alongside the skilled wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad. Afghanistan’s batting unit has been on a thrilling upswing, adding firepower to their already dominant bowling lineup. Rahmanullah Gurbaz will lead from the front, bringing stability and aggression to the top order, while Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi head a bowling attack that promises to challenge any opposition. With Noor Ahmad returning after a phenomenal CPL season, Afghanistan’s squad looks sharper and more prepared than ever to make their mark. Bangladesh, though facing recent setbacks, comes with renewed hope and hunger, especially after an ODI series win against Sri Lanka earlier this year. This series presents an opportunity to sharpen their lineup with an eye on the Champions Trophy. Najmul Hossain Shanto remains at the helm and will be ready to inspire his team to a crucial series victory. The absence of star players Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das will indeed be felt, but Bangladesh’s depth and talent offer plenty of promise. Returning opener Zakir Hasan and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed are expected to add fresh vigour, while seasoned campaigners look to reignite Bangladesh's intense rivalry with Afghanistan. Expect a battle where neither side will give an inch! This series is set to be a thrilling showdown filled with high-stakes cricketing drama under the Sharjah sky! Who are you backing to blow the first punch?