In the thrilling ICC World Cup 2023 opener, Bangladesh faced off against Afghanistan, and it was a match that kept cricket fans on the edge of their seats. The action-packed encounter began with Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan winning the toss and choosing to field first. This decision turned out to be a masterstroke as his bowlers put up a stellar performance at the picturesque venue.
Afghanistan’s batting innings got underway with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz leading the charge. Gurbaz managed to score a respectable 47 runs off 62 balls, but unfortunately, the rest of Afghanistan’s batting lineup struggled to find their footing. The bowlers for Bangladesh, especially Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, were the stars of the show, as they each claimed three crucial wickets. The Afghan innings eventually folded in 37.2 overs with a total score of just 156 runs.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of the Afghanistan team, reflected on the match, admitting that they had a good start but faltered in the middle due to some poor shot selection. He praised the tight bowling from the Bangladeshi bowlers and acknowledged that their score wasn’t enough. Despite the defeat, Shahidi remained optimistic, highlighting the fighting spirit of his team and looking forward to their upcoming games. He stressed the importance of learning from their mistakes and focusing on their upcoming clash with England.
Toss and Decision:
The stage was set for a riveting encounter as Bangladesh faced off against Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup games 2023 opener. Bangladesh’s skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, won the toss and made a crucial decision to field first, setting the tone for what would turn out to be an action-packed match.
HIGHLIGHTS : India Vs Australia World Cup Games Match# 5
Afghanistan’s Batting Struggles:
The Afghan batting innings began with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz showing promise with a resilient 47 off 62 balls. However, Afghanistan’s batting lineup faltered after the fall of the first wicket. Poor shot selection in the middle overs compounded their troubles, and Bangladesh’s bowlers took full advantage.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Prowess:
The stars of the bowling show for Bangladesh were undoubtedly Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who each claimed three crucial wickets. Shakib’s spell of 3 wickets for 30 runs in 8 overs and Mehidy’s impressive 3 wickets for just 25 runs in 9 overs dismantled the Afghan innings. Shoriful Islam also made a noteworthy contribution, securing 2 wickets for 34 runs in 6.2 overs.
Captain’s Perspective – Hashmatullah Shahidi:
Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, acknowledged the team’s good start but lamented the middle-order slump due to subpar shot selection. He commended Bangladesh’s bowlers for their tight line and length. Despite the challenges, Shahidi expressed pride in his team’s fighting spirit and optimism for future matches. He emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes and shifting their focus to the upcoming clash against England.
Individual Performances:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 47 runs off 62 balls stood out as Afghanistan’s highest score in the innings. On the bowling front, Mehidy Hasan’s brilliance with both bat and ball made him a standout performer.
Bangladesh’s Batting Masterclass:
In contrast, Bangladesh’s batting innings showcased some stellar performances. Najmul Hossain Shanto played a pivotal role, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 59 runs off 83 balls. Mehidy Hasan, who had already shone with the ball, contributed significantly with the bat, scoring a solid 57 runs off 73 balls. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan added 14 runs off 19 balls to the total.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Efforts:
Afghanistan’s bowlers, including Azmatullah Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi, put in commendable efforts. Omarzai managed to take 1 wicket for 9 runs in his 2 overs, while Farooqi claimed 1 wicket for 19 runs in his 5-over spell. Naveen-ul-Haq also chipped in with 1 wicket for 31 runs in 5.4 overs.
Victory for Bangladesh:
In the end, it was Bangladesh who emerged victorious, winning the match by 6 wickets with a substantial 92 balls left to spare. This victory set the stage for an exciting ICC World Cup games 2023 and left cricket fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches and the drama that cricket’s premier tournament always brings.
Certainly, here’s the match scorecard :
Afghanistan Innings:
- Total Runs: 156
- Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 47 runs off 62 balls
- Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi: Scored 22 runs off 25 balls
- Ibrahim Zadran: Scored 22 runs off 25 balls
Top Bowlers for Bangladesh:
- Mehidy Hasan: 3 wickets for 25 runs in 9 overs
- Shakib Al Hasan: 3 wickets for 30 runs in 8 overs
- Bowling Figures for Shoriful Islam: 2 wickets for 34 runs in 6.2 overs
Bangladesh Innings:
- Total Runs: Chased 156 with 92 balls remaining
- Najmul Hossain Shanto: Unbeaten 59 runs off 83 balls
- Mehidy Hasan: Scored 57 runs off 73 balls
- Shakib Al Hasan: Scored 14 runs off 19 balls
Top Bowlers for Afghanistan:
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 1 wicket for 9 runs in 2 overs
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: 1 wicket for 19 runs in 5 overs
Naveen-ul-Haq: 1 wicket for 31 runs in 5.4 overs
