Bangladesh seek to build on bright spots

Match facts

September 28, DhakaStart time 14.30 local (08.30 GMT)

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Predictably, the first ODI ran close. Afghanistan were in the best position to win when they had eight wickets in hand and required 77 runs to win off the last ten overs. Bangladesh took over from that point, showing their steady temperament in a situation that required them not only to cut down the runs but also to pick up wickets.

While Mahmudullah suggested that Bangladesh would have liked to have won more convincingly, there was plenty for them to draw heart from in their first ODI of the year. Shakib Al Hasan broke the big third-wicket stand between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah, and gave away just one run in the 47th over when 28 were needed off the last four. Comeback men Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain squeezed Afghanistan out of the match with regular yorkers in the last three overs. Captain Mashrafe Mortaza kept the rampant Afghanistan batsmen in check for most of his ten overs, while Taijul Islam looked decent as the second specialist left-arm spinner.

When they batted, the home side would also have been encouraged by Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes and Mahmudullah who looked in good form, though there will be some concern about Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, would be worried about their pace bowling; though Dawlat Zadran did finish with four wickets, both he and debutant Naveen-ul-Haq were expensive. The visitors would also like to see Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi get into the game a lot earlier than they did in the first …

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