Afghanistan recorded a shock win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in Fatullah on Saturday, winning by 32 runs after a superb all-round effort with bat and ball.
The Afghans had never beaten an Test-playing side in an ODI before, but were superb on the day, scoring 254 for six and then defending that, despite a number of dropped catches that blemished their effort slightly.
The Tigers won the toss and chose to bowl, and initially that seemed to be a good idea. Afghanistan were 43 for three and then 74 for five, and it looked like the hosts would have an easy time of it.
But then Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari joined forces to put on a stand of 164 runs for the sixth wicket, at more than seven runs to the over, as the home bowlers suddenly had no answers.
Shenwari was unbeaten at the end of the innings, on 90, while Stanikzai had made 81 before being run out by Rubel Hossain in the final over. The Tigers would have fancied their chances though.
They got off to a dire start though as Shamsur Rahman was out for a duck and Anamul Haque for one, leaving the rest of the order to scramble against a very disciplined bowling unit, led by Shapoor Zadran.
Mominul Haque made the only half century of the innings and steadied the ship somewhat, and at one point it looked like the Tigers would get there, albeit slowly, as they had wickets in hand.
But then a flurry of four wickets for four runs turned things on its head, as Shapoor and Mohammad Nabi rattled the Tigers’ cages. They fell from 161 for four to 165 for eight, and despite a Zaiur Rahman 41, the minnows endured.
