Watch: Allah Ghazanfar's spin wizardry makes Bangladesh lose 8 wickets for 23 runs
Afghanistan off-spinner Allah Ghazanfar triggered a dramatic collapse for Bangladesh in the first ODI of the three-match series on Wednesday, November 6 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. The 18-year-old picked 6/26 and ran through the Bangladesh batting order to help his team win the match by 92 runs.
The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side was cruising at one stage as they were 120/2 after chasing a modest target of 235 runs. However, 18-year-old Ghazanfar spoiled Bangladesh’s hope with his spin wizardry leaving batters dumbfounded by his subtle variations. The 18-year-old started with the new ball alongside seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi and got the first wicket in his very second over by cleaning up Tanzid Hasan (3 off 5).
He finished his first spell with figures of 1/21 in 4 overs and later returned in the 31st over with his captain desperate to turn things around as Bangladesh needed 105 runs from 20 overs having 7 wickets in hand. He started the proceedings by dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz (28 off 51) caught at fine leg and further got Mushfiqur Rahim stumped in his very next over.
Bangladesh lose last seven wickets in 27 balls
The off spinner further got Rishad Hossain lbw in the same over and shattered the stumps of Taskin Ahmed to scalp three wickets in a single over. At the other end, Rashid Khan (2/28, 8 overs) breached the defence of Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah while Ghazanfar cleaned up Shoriful Islam to bundle out Bangladesh for just 143.
Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets for 11 runs and within 27 balls and hence were completely outfoxed by Afghanistan’s spinners. As a result, Afghanistan won the match by a huge margin of 92 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Ghazanfar was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for his marvellous spell of 6/26 in 6.3 overs.
Earlier in the day, Mohammad Nabi (84 off 79) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi top scored for Afghanistan to help them get to 235 in 49.4 overs. Taskin Ahmed (4/53) and Mustafizur Rahman (4/58) picked four wickets each for Bangladesh.
