Asia Cup: Rashid, Naib take Afghanistan to 255/7
After electing to bat, Afghanistan got off to the worst starts possible
ABU DHABI (Web Desk) – Hashmatullah Shahidi, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan played brilliant individual knocks as Afghanistan posted 255/7 against Bangladesh in the Group B clash at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Shahidi (58) notched up a brilliant half-century on top of the order before he was removed by Rubel Hossain.
Later, Rashid Khan (57 not out) and Gulbadin Naib (42 not out) contributed crucial runs in the lower order to help Afghanistan post a challenging total. Rashid and Naib also forged an unbeaten 95-run eighth wicket stand.
For Bangladesh, their experienced all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of four for 42.
After electing to bat, Afghanistan got off to the worst starts possible. They lost two early wickets. Then, Shahzad, who played an uncharacteristic innings and Shahidi steadied the ship.
The two played themselves in and stitched a 51-run stand. But just as Mohammad Shahzad tries to cut loose he departed. Wickets then fell at regular intervals and at the 40th over mark, Bangladesh looked like they would restrict Afghanistan below 200.
