BAN VS AFG ODI

Right then, that's all we have from this outstanding match. This series is off to a great start. The second ODI is on Friday, 25th February 2022, at 10.30 am IST (5 am GMT). Do join us in advance for all the action. Cheers!

Tamim Iqbal, the winning skipper of Bangladesh, is very proud at the moment. He starts by admitting that he had no belief that they will win this match. Adds that he is very happy with the way those youngsters batted. Tells that Afghanistan have a great bowling attack and the way Afif and Mehidy handled them was amazing. Hopes that they continue to do that in future as well.

Mehidy Hasan is given the Player of the Match award! He was exceptional with the ball and then was involved in a record partnership with Afif Hossain.

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan, says that they had a good start with the ball but after that Bangladesh's batters played really well and didn't give any chance to them. Adds that they were at least 30 runs short. Mentions that they started well but wants to credit the batsmen of Bangladesh. Tells that it's part and parcel of the game and they will try to come out strongly in the next match.

Afghanistan will be shell-shocked at the moment. They were below-par with the bat and managed just 215 runs but then their bowlers gave them a real chance. Fazalhaq Farooqi showed his class with the new ball and had the hosts on the mat. The Afghans though failed to capitalize on the start. Once the pair of Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan settled in, there wasn't much pressure applied on them. The asking rate was never too demanding and Afghanistan needed more intensity in the field. Also, Hashmatullah Shahidi was very late in bringing Fazalhaq Farooqi for his second spell and there the touring team perhaps missed a trick. They now have suffered their first loss in the ICC World Cup Super League 2020–2022 but still have 20 points to play for in the series.

It was a shocking start for Bangladesh in the chase! There were blown away by Fazalhaq Farooqi who picked four wickets in his first three overs and ran amok. By the 12th over, the writing was on the wall for Bangladesh as they were reduced to 45 for 6. After the batting crumbled like cookies, two calm headed lads joined forces. As the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. The pair of Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan not only soaked up the pressure of imminent defeat but also went on to script an unbelievable win for Bangladesh. Their record unbeaten alliance of 174 runs stole all the momentum away from Afghanistan and eventually, it turned out to be an easy win for the home team.

A resounding fightback from Bangladesh! A hard-fought win but it will give them a lot of happiness and belief. Their backs were to the wall and if you had stopped following this match after the 12th over, you have missed a sensational partnership and will be in for a big surprise. Take a bow, Afif. Take a bow, Mehidy! The crowd is going mad, the Bangladesh dugout is ecstatic. A standing ovation from the VIP box.

FOUR! Here are the winning runs! Afif Hossain ends things in style for his side. A short ball, on off, Afif Hossain powers it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Afif Hossain thanks the heavens and ends his innings on 93 runs. What a day for this young man! BANGLADESH WIN THE GAME BY 4 WICKETS.

A slower delivery, full, on middle, Hossain defends it to the leg side with soft hands.

SCORES LEVEL! Back of a length, outside off. Afif Hossain hangs back and slams it over point for a brace.

On a length, around middle, Mehidy stays back and helps it towards mid on for a single. 3 more needed.

Full in length and outside off, Mehidy pushes it with an angled bat to short third man. Looks for a run but is sent back.

Back of a length, on off. Hossain comes down the track and looks to finish the game off in style with a pull shot but gets a bottom edge towards mid-wicket.

FOUR! Afif Hossain looks to be in a hurry. A length ball, on the pads. Hossain stays back and whips it to fine leg for a boundary. This is some incredible batting.

This is excellent running! What a show by this young pair. The crowd is cheering every single run. A length ball, outside off. Hasan drives it through covers. The fielder takes time to get to the ball and the batters run three.

Fazalhaq Farooqi comes in from 'round the wicket and serves a length ball, on off. Hasan stands back and blocks it out solidly.

Swing and a miss! A length ball, outside off. Hasan tries to reach out but fails to get any bat on it.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Back of a length, outside off. Hasan stands tall and punches it through point for a boundary. There is no chance for any fielder to get to it.