World Cup 2023 | Mehidy Hasan’s All-Round Show Seals Bangladesh's Win Over AFG

Mehidy Hasan Miraz in action against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Brief Scores: Afghanistan: 156 all out (37.2 overs) [Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 47 (62), Azmatullah Omarzai: 22 (20); Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3/25 (9), Shakib Al Hasan 3/30 (8)] lost to Bangladesh: 158-4 (34.4 overs) [Najmul Hossain Shanto: 59* (83), Mehidy Hasan Miraz: 57 (73); Azmatullah Omarzai 1/9 (2), Fazalhaq Farooqi 1/19 (5)] by six wickets.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three Afghanistan wickets and scored a sublime half-century as Bangladesh cantered to a comfortable victory in their opening match of the 2023 World Cup. For putting up a stellar all-round show in Dharamshala, the 25-year-old star was fittingly adjudged as ‘Player of the Match’.

Afghanistan squander away perfect start with batting collapse

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz slapped a fluent 47 upfront and formed a near 50-run stand with partner Ibrahim Zadran. After the latter was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan, number three Rahmat Shah also walked back to the pavilion a while later at the hands of the Bangladeshi captain.

Meanwhile, Gurbaz’s dismissal triggered a colossal batting collapse within the Afghanistan camp, as they slumped from 112-2 at one stage to 156 all out in the space of an hour.

Shakib, who eventually finished with splendid figures of 3-30 from his eight overs, was ably assisted by Mehidy Hasan Miraz with his own three-fer in the innings.

Mehidy Hasan and Najmul Shanto control Bangladesh run-chase

Litton Das’ poor run with the bat continued as his leg stump was shattered early by Afghanistan’s new-ball pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. Meanwhile, his opening partner Tanzid Hasan walked back to the hut after he was bested by a Najibullah Zadran direct hit.

Jolted early at 27-2, Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz reaped off his bowling momentum to conjure up 57 scintillating runs and shared a pivotal 97-run stand with fellow half-centurion Najmul Hossain Shanto.

The two cricketers took a special liking to Rashid Khan, as the star Afghanistan spinner conceded 48 runs from his nine overs on a slow Dharamshala surface.

While Mehidy Hasan was dismissed at the brink of the finishing line by Naveen-ul-Haq, his partner Shanto guided Bangladesh to a comfortable six-wicket win, with more than 15 overs still intact in the game.

Having secured two points upfront, Bangladesh will now face defending champions England at the same venue on October 10.

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