Afghanistan on the verge of exit from Asia Cup

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Bangladesh have gone marching into the Super Four stage by whacking Afghanistan in a do-or-die Asia Cup match in Lahore.

Opting to bat, Bangladesh amassed a massive total of 334/5 in the stipulated 50 overs at the Gaddafi International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Mehidy Hasan Mirza smashed 112 off 119 balls and Najmul Hossain Shanto 104 off 105 to lift their side to an imposing total.

Off to a shaky chase, Afghanistan lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz for one before Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran stabilised the innings.

But Rahmat Shah was clean-bowled by Taskin Ahmed for 33. Thus a 78-run stand between the batters for the second wicket came to an end.

Ibrahim was sent back to the pavilion for 75 by Mushfiqur Rahim. Hashmatullah Shahidi then chipped in with 51before being removed by Shoriful.

The dismissal of ace leg=spinner Rashid Khan, going wicketless and conceding quite a few runs, saw Afghanistan for 245 in the 45^th over.

After losing their first Group ‘B’ match to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh outplayed Afghanistan in all departments and pulled off an 89-run win.

To stay in the tournament, Afghanistan will have to beat Sri Lanka in their next outing at the same venue on Tuesday. Even then net run-rate will decide the top Group ‘B’ teams.

Taskin, who bagged four wickets, and Shoriful (three for 36) were the picks of the Bangladeshi bowlers.

mud

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