DHAKA: Bangladesh take 1-0 lead by beating visiting Afghanistan by 7-run in the first match of three-match One Day International (ODI) series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur in Dhaka on Sunday (September 25).

Tiger captain Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and opted to bat first in the match that Bangladesh started after a 10-month break from ODI cricket.

With two fifties from Tamim Iqbal (80) and Mahmudullah (62), Tigers scored 265 runs for all wickets in the stipulated 50-over.

Besides, Imrul Kayes and Shakib Al Hasan scored 37 and 48 runs respectively.

Dawlat Zadran picked up four wickets while Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan took two wickets each.

In response, Afghanistan managed to score 258-run losing all wickets in their 50-over.

Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 71 and 72 runs respectively. At one stage, the 144-run partnership between Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi were posing a threat to Bangladesh.

But, ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan broke the partnership taking the wicket of Rahmat Shah and become the leading wicket taker beating Abdur Razzak (207 wickets in 153 matches) in ODIs for Bangladesh. He has taken 208 wickets in 158 matches.

Pacer Taskin Ahmed, who was recently cleared by ICC to bowl in international matches, picked up four wickets. Besides, captain Mashrafe Mortaza took two wickets setting up the victory.

Shakib Al Hasan was adjudged player of the match for his all-round performance.

BDST: 1131 HRS, SEP 25, 2016
SR