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7 Wickets For 11 Runs! How Did Allah Ghazanfar Trigger Bangladesh's Epic Collapse In 1st ODI?

Bangladesh crumbled like a pack of cards [Source: @FanCode]Bangladesh crumbled like a pack of cards [Source: @FanCode]

Afghanistan's promising spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar grabbed a million eyeballs as he ran through Bangladesh's batting line-up through a sensational spell in the first ODI between the two sides in Sharjah. Chasing a moderate 236-run total, Bangladesh were comfortably placed at 132 for three at one stage. However, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar spun a web to stun the visitors, triggering their epic collapse. 

Tanzid, Mehidy And Rahim; No One Had An Answer To Ghazanfar's Wily Spin

After Afghanistan posted a respectable 235-run total, Allah Ghazanfar drew the first blood for the home side, castling Tanzid Hasan Tamim for three runs in the fourth over. Although the Tigers recovered from the early setback, courtesy of valuable knocks from Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, it was Ghazanfar's second spell that derailed their innings. 

While Miraz was caught by Omarzai at square leg, Mushfiqur Rahim had no clue about his variation, getting stumped by Ikram AliKhil. Wrapping up Bangladesh's tail wasn't going to be an uphill task for Ghazanfar, who outfoxed Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed in quick succession. Thus, Bangladesh, who looked all set for a commanding win, were bowled out for 143 runs, losing the game by a whopping 92-run margin. 


The Carrom Ball: Allah Ghazanfar's Lethal Weapon That Dismantled Bangladesh

Being a finger spinner, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar has two variations: the off break, which turns into the right-hander and the carrom ball, which goes the other way. The Bangladesh batters found it incredibly tough to read his carrom ball in the first ODI in Sharjah. 

Mehidy Hasan Miraz managed a top edge as he swept the ball against the turn, thinking it to be an off-break. At the same time, Rahim was completely bamboozled, with the ball turning sharply away from him, contrary to his expectations. Similarly, the left-handed batters played for the turn, whereas the ball came back into them after pitching. 

The credit also goes to Ghazanfar for hitting the full length in the stump line and making the ball talk from that region. Had he bowled short, the Bangladesh batters would've had more time to read his variations and safely negotiate the deliveries off the back foot. So, apart from his deceptive carrom ball, Ghazanfar's line and length played a pivotal role in the Tigers' collapse.