Relive Bangladesh vs Afghanistan: Bangladesh win by 105 runs in their World Cup opener

Afghanistan's triumph tonight was Being There. Their first game in World Cup history, down to Bangladesh by 105 runs. #AfgvBan #CWC15

— Rick Eyre (@rickeyrecricket.com on Bluesky) (@rickeyrecricket) February 18, 2015

This is Bangladesh's 6th ODI win in a row since 21 Nov 2014
Have now won four of their last six WC games since 25 Feb 2011 #CWC15#BanvsAfg

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 18, 2015

Afghanistan all out for 162. They started the match very well but once Shakib and Rahim got going, they never had a chance. The 105-run defeat for Afghanistan was deserved. Bangladesh’s three-wicket burst at the start of the innings sealed their fate.

WICKET! 154-9. This is what the ICC expected matches against the Associates to be like. But Afghanistan never quite recovered from the horrid start that saw them being reduced to 3-3.

WICKET! AFG 154-8 after 41 overs. It’s all over now. Bangladesh are winning this and aren’t they glad. Mirwais holes out in the deep to give Shakib another wicket.

After 40 overs, Afghanistan are 145-7 and the only thing on their mind now will be survival. Can they find a way to last 50 overs?

WICKET! It’s coming down now. Thick and fast. Afghanistan are reduced to 136-7. Mashrafe gets another one, Nabi the captain walking back after making 44 off 43 balls. It was a courageous knock but the match has been lost for a while.

Referral doesn’t help! WICKET! AFG 136-6. Hajibullah trapped LBW by Shakib who has been the star for Bangladesh today. Super play. The innings might end very quickly now.

Almost 11000 in Canberra for the kind of fixture the ICC doesn't want in the 2019 World Cup

— Rick Eyre (@rickeyrecricket.com on Bluesky) (@rickeyrecricket) February 18, 2015

After 35 overs, Afghanistan 126-5. The RR is over 9 now and that is big especially when the Afghans have never managed to take their run-rate past 4.

After 30 overs, Afghanistan are 96-5 and they are trying their hardest to stay in the match. Nabi 11 and Najibullah Zadran 10 have some time to get set but then they need to start going for the big shots. Not an easy path ahead.

After 25 overs, Afghanistan are 73-4 and in need of a miracle. The target is 268 — 195 required off 150 balls. Highly unlikely.

WICKET! Bangladesh have another wicket. Good catch in the deep to send back Mangal 27 (57). Afghanistan 65-4 after 22.4. This is the end of the 62 run partnership. Things are looking pretty grim for the Afghans.

After 20 overs, steady Afghanistan have reached 61-3. The run-rate is pretty slow but this is also how the Bangladesh series went. Still a long way to go. At the same stage, Bangladesh were 67-2.

After 15 overs, Afghanistan have made their way to 42-3. Mangal 17, Shenwari 21. They are still in the match but only just. This has not been easy.

Nawroz Mangal 4 runs of 26 balls. I am sure ICC didn't mean this when considering a Test Cricket World Cup. #CWC15

— cricBC (@cricBC) February 18, 2015

After 10 overs, Afghanistan have slowly worked their way to 24-3. This has been a slow grind but it is just the beginning. This pair needed to put on a lot of runs for them. Shenwari is trying to hit his way out of trouble but Mangal has become bogged down.

After 6 overs, Afghanistan are 6-3. The wind has been knocked out of their sails. This will take some fighting back from.

Bangladesh will be delighted by this start. Almost as delighted as Dave Richardson. #BANvAFG

— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) February 18, 2015

At least Afghanistan have made history - first team to lose three top-4 batsman for 1 run each in an ODI innings.

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 18, 2015

WICKET! Afghanistan are 3-3 after 3 overs. Stanikzai edges that to the slips and that is that. A win looks highly unlikely for this point on. Afghanistan needed to keep wickets in hand but Bangladesh have come out firing on all cylinders.

OUT! Bangladesh have two in two balls and both Afganistan openers are out. Rubel Hossain bowls one short of a good length and it angles in at Zazai, who hops across his crease and is struck on the pad. Up goes the finger. The batsmen discuss whether to review but don’t. Replays’ show it was umpire’s call on whether impact was in line with offstump and for the height as well.

Afsar Zazai lbw b Rubel Hossain 1 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Afghanistan are 2 for 2 after 1.1 balls.

OUT! Mashrafe has struck with the last ball of the first over. Javed Ahmadi tried to turn a short ball to leg but was early on the shot. The ball strikes the leading edge and lobs into the air. Mortaza is able to jog towards the covers and take a simple catch.

Javed Ahmadi c & b Mashrafe Mortaza 1 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Afghanistan are 2 for 1 after one over.

Afghanistan have won ODIs on three occasions while chasing targets of 260+ (agst UAE, Zim & Sco)#CWC15#BanvAfg

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 18, 2015

Bangladesh bowled out for 267. Good bowling by Afghanistan in the final five overs but Rahil and Shakib did enough before that to give the tigers a good chance of winning the game. In the final 10 overs, Bangladesh scored at 7.30 RR. Wonderful knocks by Rahil 71 off 56 and Shakib 63 off 51. Great bowling by Shapoor 2-20 (7 overs) and no idea why he didn’t get his full quota. Mirwais also bowled well initially.

Another wicket goes down for Bangladesh. 263-8 after 49 overs. Mominul didn’t run for the single straightaway, Mashrafe wanted it — the keeper got a direct hit, out by a mile.

Outstanding catch by Shenwari for the reasons noted by Ramiz. Ball coming from the sun into the shadows, diving forward. Splendid effort.

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) February 18, 2015

WICKET! Rahim walking back now. Made a vital 71 off 56 bals. Ban 247-7. Still not out of the woods though. Good batting track.. how much will be enough?

WICKET! Sabbir walking back now. Bangladesh giving it away a little. Two quick wickets holding them back and Hassan strikes. It was played out — too close to cut. 241-6

Shakib gets a standing ovation from @BCBtigers after being dismissed for 63 #cwc15 #BANvsAFG https://t.co/XF9ig5Yqol

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 18, 2015

OUT: Shakib falls for a well made 63, Hassan gets his first World Cup Wicket http://t.co/d5nJSzn4DX #BanvAfg #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/St5MqL6ErT

— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2015

WICKET!! Shakib walking back after being bowled by a slower ball. Ban 233-5 after 44.4. 63 off 51 balls — the innings has helped Bangladesh turn things around.

102 off 90 balls — what a partnership between Rahim and Shakib. Stunning. Afghanistan need a wicket right away or this match might go away very quickly.

STAT ALERT: This p'ship between Shalkib and Mushfiqur is highest for Bangladesh in all World Cups. They have played 5 WCs and 27 matches.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 18, 2015

FIFTY! Shakib gets his 27th international half-century. It has taken 43 balls and includes 5 fours. He has been restrained and it has been a controlled knock so far but we might see him take things up a notch now.

FIFTY! What an innings by Mushfiqur Rahim, 51 off 40 balls (4×4, 1×6), his 19th international 50. Classy knock… vital innings by the former Bangladesh skipper.

Afghanistan are going to take their DRS referral home with them as a souvenir.... #cwc15 #BANvsAFG

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) February 18, 2015

Rahim six takes Bangladesh to 202-4 after 40.4 overs. 300 on the cards? If they continue at this rate, surely. The last 50 runs have come off just 31 balls.

After 40 overs, Bangladesh have worked their way to 194-4. Shakib and Rahim have taken the Afghanistan attack apart and for now, the Afghans have no answer. The run-rate is rising steadily and the batsmen are picking out the gaps with ease. In the batting powerplay, Bangladesh scored 48 runs (5 overs).

afghanistan bowling like india *runs away* #CWC15

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 18, 2015

4,000 ODI Runs for Shakib Al-Hasan! The highest in Bangladesh history as he adds crucial runs here in Canberra #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/RZl9HS0zXg

— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2015

Bangladesh reach 150 mark! 151/4 35.3 overs. They are priming themselves for an all out assault. Afghanistan will need to be careful now.

146-4 after 35 overs. Everything to play for at this point. Bangladesh need to do this right from here or they are going to have a real battle on their hands in the second innings when they come out to bowl.

#CWC15 @SamiShinwari45 already been warned for following through down the wicket, he gets another warning and that means he is off #BanvsAfg

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 18, 2015

Shenwari warned for his first indiscretion, Big Mo didnt get a warning until multiple indiscretions... #cwc15 #BANvsAFG

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) February 18, 2015

After 30 overs, Bangladesh are 122-4. This is superb cricket by Afghanistan — Bangladesh will be pretty worried at the moment. At current rate, they will get to 203. At 6 an over to 242. Scores that will make the second half pretty interesting.

WICKET! Afghanistan have their 4th wicket & B'desh are in a bit of trouble in Canberra! http://t.co/d5nJSzn4DX #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/fF3MtTtxHh

— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2015

WICKET! Zadran strikes again. Bangladesh 119-4. What a super change. Mahmudullah in gone for 23 (46). He was trying to run it to third man and another good catch by the keeper. This is getting interesting.

THERE'S the breakthrough for @ACBofficials and the fans couldn't be happier http://t.co/8mVzyfEOfx #cwc15 #BANvsAFG https://t.co/WwpL4PYUwM

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 18, 2015

WICKET!!! Zadran strikes. Brought back into the attack and he strikes. He breaks the dangerous partnership and Sarkar (28 off 25) is walking back — trapped lbw. Ban 102-3. He seemed pretty angry after the decision was given but replays showed that there was absolutely no mistake.

50 off 56 — Sarkar and Mahmudullah are putting together a super partnership. Afghanistan have been ambushed a little.

Fair dues to Bangladesh, been a mature approach to the innings so far when they could have panicked and been 5 down... #cwc15 #BANvsAFG

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) February 18, 2015

After 25 overs, Bangladesh seem to have finally got their head in the game. Some attacking shots being played, the passive approach was not helping them. 101-2. Just 17 runs came of Mirwais’ first 8 overs but his 9th — the 25th of the innings — was smashed for 15.

67/2- second lowest score conceded by a team at the 20 over mark in the world cup so far, not a bad debut for afghanistan! #CWC15

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 18, 2015

That's 20 overs, @BCBtigers is 67-2 & the fans are loving the action! SCORES http://t.co/8mVzyfEOfx #cwc15 #BANvsAFG pic.twitter.com/uMeJ6KIzwx

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 18, 2015

After 20 overs Bangladesh are 67-2. After 10 overs, they were 38-0. So not a lot of runs have come in the last 10 overs. If nothing else, Bangladesh are looking more nervous than Afghanistan, who are making their World Cuo debut.

US Embassy, Kabul... the modern Nostradamus?
Check this... pic.twitter.com/70kWf0VU49

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 18, 2015

Very impressed with the back up seam bowling from Afghanistan. Knew Hassan and Shapoor were good but Aftab and Mirwais doing really well

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 18, 2015

Disciplined bowling, good fielding, proactive captaincy - Afghanistan look born to this World Cup lark #AFGvsBAN

— mark butcher (@markbutcher72) February 18, 2015

Bangladesh 54-2 after 17 overs. Only 11 runs in the last four overs and two wickets too. Crucial point in the game.

Mirwais Ashraf currently the GREATEST BOWLER IN WORLD CUP HISTORY: http://t.co/9f22Nk5yFT

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 18, 2015

WICKET! Bangladesh are down to 52-2 after 16.4 overs. This is super bowling. Anamul Haque is gone for 29 off 55 balls. Super bowling, it cut in a bit off the pitch, missed the bat and hit the back leg. Anamul referred it but the replays confirmed the decision.

Afghanistan’s Mirwais Ashraf bowling figures at this point are a superb: 4.4-2-6-2

Afsar Zazai's catch of Tamim Iqbal is surely among the best in #CWC15#BanvAfg

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 18, 2015

WICKET! Afghanistan have their first wicket. Tamim tried to run in down to third man, and wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai leapt to his left and took an outstanfing one-handed catch to give Mirwais the wicket. 47-1.

After 10 overs, Bangladesh have worked their way to 38-0. Afghanistan have had one clear chance but they have been unable to put the batsmen under consistent pressure. Tamim remains the dangerman and he can be hard to contrain once he gets going. The pitch is starting to flatten out a bit now.

and it looks to me that this pitch will be roughed up by the time Bangla come to bowl... #cwc15 #BANvsAFG

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) February 18, 2015

Bangladesh v Afghanistan in the cricket world cup. Who would have predicted this 300 years ago? Or even more recently?

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 18, 2015

After 7 overs, Bangladesh have made it to 23-0. They aren’t taking too many risks. The focus seems to be on not losing wickets for the moment. Aftab Alam is into the attack and Rameez Raja is back in Comms.

After 5 overs, Bangladesh are 20-0 but they could have easily lost one wicket. Hassan got a huge edge from Tamim Iqbal and the keeper took it cleanly but Steve Davis didn’t think it was out. There was a huge sound but after a discussion Afghanistan decided not to refer it. Replays showed it was clearly out. Tamim was on 6 and Bangladesh on 10.

After 1 over, Ban 2-0: Hassan’s war paint does the trick. As does the good line and lenght. He was very good against India as well. Bangladesh need to be careful in this initial period.

This is the 47th full ODI played by Afghanistan to date. Here we go.

#CWC15 National anthems of both sides underway. #BanvsAfg pic.twitter.com/Md0ChFFmEw

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 18, 2015

Good start in the Comms for Sourav Ganguly and Rameez Raja. 

Bangladesh is not India, Pakistan, South Africa or Australia: Ganguly

Rameez Raja describing the pitch at the toss: Looks a very fine batting side.

Bangladesh playing XI: Mortaza*, Iqbal, Anamul, Mominul, Shakib, Rahim+, Sabbir, Mahmudullah, Sarkar, Rubel, Taskin

Afghanistan playing XI: Zazai(w), Ahmadi, Mangal, Stanikzai, Shenwari, Nabi(c), Zadran, Ashraf, Aftab , Shapoor , Hamid

PLENTY of excitement at Manuka. Less than 30 mins until @ACBofficials bowls it's first CWC ball #cwc15 #BANvsAFG https://t.co/hmRFSNZVPY

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 18, 2015

Bangladesh's problem is that two of their key batsmen Tamim & Mushfiqur average 28 & 29 after 135 & 140 games respectively!

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 18, 2015

Afghanistan cricket fans in Canberra. #CWC15 #BANvsAFG pic.twitter.com/FTo7trMxUu

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 18, 2015

Almost time for Afghanistan’s World Cup debut and by all means, it is well deserved.

Afghanistan Squad
Mohammad Nabi*, Afsar Zazai, Aftab Alam, Asghar Stanikzai, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Javed Ahmadi, Mirwais Ashraf, Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Nawroz Mangal, Samiullah Shenwari, Shapoor Zadran, Usman Ghani

Bangladesh Squad
Mashrafe Mortaza*, Al-Amin Hossain, Anamul Haque, Arafat Sunny, Mahmudullah, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed

TOSS won by Bangaldesh, who have elected to bat first. Afghanistan’s new ball attack was pretty impressive against India so this should be interesting.