OBHAI Tri-Nation T20 Series Third Match Played at SBNS on 15 September 2019
Brief Scorecard
Afghanistan 164/6 (Mohammad Nabi 84, Asghar Afghan 40, Mohammad Saifuddin 4/33, Shakib Al Hasan 2/18) beat Bangladesh 139 All Out (Mahmudullah Riyad 44, Sabbir Rahman 24, Afif Hossain 16, Shakib Al Hasan 15, Mustafizur Rahman 15, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4/15, Rashid Khan 2/23, Gulbadin Naib 2/27, Fareed Ahmad 2/33) by 25 Runs.
Explosive batting by veteran all rounder Mohammad Nabi (84 in 54 deliveries) and excellent bowling by young Mujeeb Ur Rahman (4/15) kept the Afghan phobia going for Bangladesh. Batting first Afghanistan posted a challenging score of 164/6. Bangladesh was restricted to 139 by the quality bowling and tight fielding of Afghanistan. Winning by 25 runs Rashid Khan Afghan Lions kept the winning momentum going.
Winning 12 T20 International on a trot Afghanistan set a new record. It was 5th win in 6 T20 matches against Bangladesh establishing the superiority of Bangladesh. Winning two matches comfortably by almost identical margin Afghanistan has already secured a place for the final. The possibility of Bangladesh playing in the final now hinges upon winning against Zimbabwe again when they meet next in Chattogram. That even is not sure unless Zimbabwe return the compliments. Afghanistan appears far better organized team of the three at this moment. Bangladesh could neither decode the mystery of their bowling nor could castle their batting on known surfaces.
The positive developments of the match for Bangladesh yesterday was Saifuddin and Shakib making early inroads into Afghanistan batting reducing them to 4/40 by the 6th over. Saifuddin cracked into action disturbing the furniture of young Rahmatullah Gulbaz with the beauty in the first ball of the match. Shakib also struck in his first over taking the wicket of Hashmatullah Zazai. Najeeb Tarakai and hero of the last Afghan match flamboyant Nazibullah Zadran also did not stay long for the probing bowling Saifuddin and Shakib. This brought in Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi for resurrecting the innings.
As ill luck could have it Taijul over stepped in the ball which could get Asghar out. Veteran Nabi used all his experience in Bangladesh domestic cricket and Asghar executed his aggressive stroke play. The pair steadied the boat and kept it sailing smoothly adding 69 runs in the 5th wicket partnership. Saifuddin getting back into the attack removed Asghar and also took the wicket of Gulbadin Naib. But Mohammad Nabi championed Afghan rally staying till the end unbeaten with 84 in 54 deliveries. His match winning innings contained as many as 5 fours and 7 sixes. The tourists produced 164/6. Saifuddin achieved his best bowling figure in T20 taking 4/ 33. Shakib redeemed taking 2/18 eclipsing partially his nightmare experience of conceding 30 runs in an over in the previous match. None of the other bowlers could get a wicket. Afghanistan craftily demonstrated a team effort. Their depth and diversity in batting was ably demonstrated.
The target was not daunting and not beyond Bangladesh reach in any case. Shakib experimented again sending Mushfique opening the innings with Liton. Possibly he wanted to shield Soumya from the mystery bowler Mujeeb. But did it work? Liton was perished in the very second delivery scoring a duck. Mushfique in his unaccustomed role also could not survive beyond the second over. The best of Shakib and Mahmudullah was not enough handling the quality Afghan attack. Mujeeb removed Shakib for 15 and finding Soumya in front had him removed for a duck. Bangladesh was also reduced to 4/32 by the fifth over.
Almost from the identical position Afghanistan was rescued by brilliant middle order batting. But despite a good innings from Mahmudullah (44) and Sabbir (24) Bangladesh soon found them in tight leash at 6/95 in the 15th over when the heroes of the last match teenager Afif and young Mosaddek entered the arena. They tried. But their efforts were just not enough creating miracle on every occasion. Bangladesh could go as far as 139 before diverse Afghan attack wrapped up Bangladesh innings. Mujeeb (4/15) was the pick of the bowler. Rashid Khan (2/23), Gulbadin Naib (2/27) and Fareed Ahmad (2/33) shared the wickets. Afghanistan won by 25 runs.
Bangladesh has genuine problem all around. Liton Das, Soumya and Mushfiq are terribly out of touch. Mushfique is also not keeping well. When he can not bat well it also affects his keeping. Bangladesh must review its top order batting options. Shakib is also looking a bit hesitant while batting. It is the seniors who have to show the way. Mahmudullah has shown signs of getting back to his stride. Bangladesh must consider whether adding another pacer in place of Taijul.
Shakib must not also make to much experiment with batting order. Perhaps Mosaddek or Afif should have been slotted at the position where Soumya batted. It is time Soumya should be rested for few matches to regain his composure. He simply does not have the skills and temperament for batting against quality Afghan bowling. Liton also is not faring well. Sabbir can not capitalize on the start.
Afghanistan is looking way too good. From where they now stand it will be miracle only if they do not win this tri-nation series. They look like well oiled machines. They have so much options in batting and bowling. If one fails few others put up their stands and deliver. They need to sort out a little bit of their top order as well.
Bangladesh has no option left but regrouping and winning the match against Zimbabwe at any cost. But it must be in a fair way. Failure of Bangladesh, which we hope not in appearing for the final, would make adverse impacts on the morale of the Bangladesh team.
BDST: 1001 HRS, SEPT 16, 2019
SI
