Afghanistan trump Bangladesh with an all too familiar performance by Rashid Khan

Afghanistan (167-8) beat Bangladesh (122-10) by a comprehensive margin of 45 runs on the back of some explosive batting from Samiullah Shenwari (36, SR: 200) and Shafiqullah (24, SR: 300) and the bowling genius of Rashid Khan (3-13-3).

Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 45 runs in the first T20I of Biman Bangladesh Airlines T20I series. #AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/2gXG16r41h

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 3, 2018

Bangladesh lost the first T20I against Afghanistan by 45 runs. #BANvAFG pic.twitter.com/3Aj5haZ3xZ

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) June 3, 2018

It was the first match of the three match T20I series to be played between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Batting first, Afghanistan got off to a solid start with the first wicket contributing 62 runs. Although Mohammad Shahzad (40) and Usman Ghani (26) did not get Afghanistan to a flier, they set the stage for a big total.

Mohammad Shahzad top scores with 40 with strong hitting down the order from Shenwari and Shafiqullah helping Afghanistan to post 167/8 - will it be enough for the win?#AFGvBAN LIVE ?? https://t.co/cQrZGMH0Fg pic.twitter.com/u4MFfoNs8o

— ICC (@ICC) June 3, 2018

Captain Asghar Stanikzai (25) then played sensibly as well to further strengthen the base for a big total.
It was then left to Samiullah Shenwari (36, SR: 200) and Shafiqullah (24, SR: 300) who clubbed 64 runs in the last 4 overs to take the team to a good total of 167 for 8.
There was no standout bowling performance from the Bangladesh side as Abul Hasan who picked up 2 wickets in 3 overs went at an economy of more than 13. Where as part-time bowler Mahmudullah who also picked up 2 wickets, got only one over to bowl.
Chasing a good total on a sluggish Dehradun pitch, Bangladesh could not have got off to a worse start as they lost veteran opener Tamim Iqbal (0) on the very first delivery of the match off Mujib ur Rahman (4-20-1). Liton Das (30) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (15) then tried to steady the inning as the Bangladesh batting lineup got some support from Mushfiqur Rahim (20) and Mohammadullah (29).

Three wickets each from Rashid Khan and Shapoor Zadran help Afghanistan bowl out Bangladesh for 122 to win by 45 runs and take a 1-0 series lead in Dehradun. #AFGvBAN scorecard ?? https://t.co/cQrZGMH0Fg pic.twitter.com/InmwVksHi2

— ICC (@ICC) June 3, 2018

The chase was pretty much on course but once Rashid Khan (3-13-3) stepped into the picture, things drastically changed. Rashid, one likes to call the 19-year-old an experienced T20 bowler, removed Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman (0) on consecutive deliveries and stalled any remaining hopes of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh lower order was exposed as the last 6 batsmen could only add up 24 runs.

It's that man again! @rashidkhan_19 is the Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling spell, which he kicked off with two wickets in his first two balls! #AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/90GpZWX947

— ICC (@ICC) June 3, 2018

Rashid Khan bagged the Man of the Match for his magical spell. Afghanistan have now taken a 1-0 lead in the three match series and will look to seal it in the 2nd T20I to be held on 5th June.

©  Cricket World