Bangladesh made a remarkable comeback in the first of a 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan on Wednesday in Chattogram as they rode on a 174-run unbeaten stand for the 7th wicket to knock down a target of 216. Bangladesh took a 1–0 lead, thanks to a record-breaking 7th wicket partnership between Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan.
The 174 run streak is a new record for the highest partnership for the 7th wicket of lower in ODI run chases. It is also the highest partnership for Bangladesh in ODI cricket, anything lower than the 5th wicket.
Bangladesh got off to a bad start as they were reduced to 45/6 in the 12th over. Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who signed an Indian Premier League contract with SunRisers Hyderabad, ran through the top order and took 4 wickets with the new ball. He got Captain Tamim Iqbal for 8, Liton Das for 1, Mushfiqur Rahim for 3 and Yasir Ali for 0.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman took the big wicket from Shakib Al Hasan for 10, after which Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah lost to Rashid Khan for 8.
However, Afif and Mahidy opposed the Afghanistan charge. While Afif hit 93 balls out of 115, including 11 boundaries and a six, Mehidy went undefeated on 81 balls out of 120, including 9 boundaries.
No side has ever scored more runs to win a one-day international win after dropping the sixth wicket as Bangladesh added 174 today.
And they did it without losing another wicket – from 45/6 to 219/6……stunning!!!!#BANvsAFG #BANvAFG #BANvsAFG
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) February 23, 2022
“INCREDIBLE, HAPPY AND PROUD”
Captain Tamim Iqbal said he didn’t think Bangladesh would be able to chase 216 when they were reeling at 45/6, while praising the two batsmen in Afif and Mehidy for their “incredible” efforts.
“Honestly no. I didn’t, no. To come here and say that I believe in it, I would be lying. 45/6 chasing 215, very difficult, the way the youngsters played, incredible, very happy and proud. Not easy at all. Afghanistan have a great spin attack and the way these two handled it was amazing and there was a lot to learn too,” Tamim said.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh put in a determined ball effort to knock out Afghanistan with 215 in 49.1 overs.
Mustafizur Rahman conceded 3 wickets while players like Taskin Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan and Shoriful Islam conceded 2 wickets each.
Najibullah Zadran was the best for Afghanistan with 67 points, but the rest of the batting force contributed very little.
The two teams will meet on Friday at the 2nd ODI at the same venue in Chattogram.
