ABU DHABI: Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib and Hashmatullah Shahidi played brilliant knocks and set a target of 256 runs against Bangladesh in the last group match of Asia Cup 2018 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi.
Hashmatullah Shahidi scored a brilliant fifty on top of the order before he was removed by Rubel Hossain. After Shahidi’s dismissal Afghanistan’s batting crumbled a bit.
In the last part of the game Rashid Khan and Gulbadin played brilliant knocks and made an unbeaten 95-run eight-wicket partnership. Rashid made a quick fire 57 on just 32 balls while Gulbadin contributed 42 runs on just 38 balls.
For Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan took four wickets.
Bangladesh and Afghanistan are facing each other in their last group stage encounter today at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Both teams have make their way to super four after defeating five-time champions Sri Lanka and outstanding them out of the tournament. The two teams are well rested and will hope to come out with a win.
Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh have decided to open the innings with a new opening pair but there will be no change in the bowling department.
Afghanistan have made one change to their playing Xi while Bangladesh have made three changes today.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rehman have been rested. Debutant Abu Hider Ron, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque made their way to the final XI against Afghanistan for today’s clash.
Afghanistan on the othr hand have made one change from the last playing XI against Sri Lanka. Najibullah Zadran has been replaced by Samiullah Shenwari.
Playing XI
Bangladesh
Liton Das (wk), Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Abu Hider Rony, Rubel Hossain
Afghanistan
Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan (captain), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman