Bangladesh beat Afghanistan: Here are the key takeaways
Bangladesh rode on an all-round performance from Shakib Al Hasan, to tame Afghanistan by 62 runs in the match number 31 of the ICC World Cup 2019 at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Monday. The win took Bangladesh to the fifth spot on the table, while this was Afghanistan's seventh consecutive loss of the tournament. Here are the key takeaways.
Winning the toss, Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib elected to bowl first. Bangladesh, despite being off to a shaky start, posted an average total of 262/7, courtesy Mushfiqur Rahim knock of 83 runs and Shakib's half-century. In reply, it was Shakib, who bowled magically to decimate Afghans. He produced figures of 5/29 as Afghanistan succumbed to another defeat.
Shakib continued his fine run in this World Cup, as he scripted a couple of more records. While batting along with Mushfiqur Rahim, the pair became the first ever to script 3,000 runs for the Tigers in ODIs. Shakib became the second person, after Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, to score 1,000 runs and take more than 25 wickets in the World Cup.
Asian players with 50-plus runs and 4-plus wickets in an ODI WC match:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) June 24, 2019
Yuvraj Singh v Ireland, Bangalore, 2011
Tillakaratne Dilshan v Zimbabwe, Pallekele, 2011
Wahab Riaz v Zimbabwe, Brisbane, 2015
Shakib Al Hasan v Afghanistan, Southampton, 2019*#BANvAFG
Shakib has been in a lethal form this term. He became only the second player in the World Cup to have slammed a 50+ run-innings and claim five wickets in a match. The other player is Yuvraj Singh, who attained the feat in 2011. Further, he is the first Bangladeshi to claim a five-wicket haul in the World Cup.
While Bangladesh may have been off to a shaky start in the tournament, they have managed to script a turnaround. Although they need to win their remaining games, they would still fancy their chances to qualify for semis. Shakib and Mushfiqur will have a strong role to play and need to deliver consistently.
Bangladesh pacer and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has played a phenomenal role in their recent success, especially as a leader. However, his bowling form seems to be diminishing. Also, he does not possess the same pace as before. Thus, we feel he should not try to bowl with the new ball and instead come during the middle or death, courtesy of his experience.
In an interesting observation, the Bangladesh batsmen made sure that the runs kept coming. This was ensured by running between the wickets. The singles and the doubles indeed kept the scoreboard in check and ticking, allowing the side to post a fighting total.
Shakib is undoubtedly one of the greatest all-rounders Bangladesh have ever produced. From bowling, batting to even leading the team, he can do it all. Currently, he is enjoying a splendid form with the bat, as he continues to be the top-scorer of the tournament. Being a handy spinner, and the way he has bowled, Shakib could surely be the Man of the Tournament.
