Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by six wickets

Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haqand Fazalhaq Farooqi

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl against Afghanistan in the two sides' ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 opener in Dharmashala on Saturday.

Bangladesh chose a batting heavy side with opener Tanzid Hassan and middle order batter Mahmudullah are included.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan

Afghanistan openers gave their side a steady start as Ibrahim Zardan is in 16 off 17 while Rahmanullah Gurbaz on 9 off 13.

Bangladeshi bowlers failed to get an early breakthrough. Zardan (21 off 22) and Gurbaz (22 off 21) cruising

Bangladesh skipper made the breakthrough for his side when Zadran (22 off 25) was holed in the midwicket boundary by Tanzim Hassan while attempting a sweep. Afghanistan 47/1 (8.2 overs)

Shakib not only provided the vital breakthrough, he conceded just one run during the ninth over. Afghanistan 48/1 (9 overs)

Mustafiz conceded just two runs in the 10th over. Afghanistan reach 50.

Rahmat Shah stroked a classy boundary through mid-wicket off pacer Taskin who was brought back after the fall of wicket. The 11th over saw 8 runs were scored. Afghanistan 58/1.

The left-arm pacer bowled another tight over as he just conceded 3 runs in the 12th over. Afghanistan 61/1.

Shoriful, who was removed after two overs, returned with nine runs as Gurbaz placed his third ball of the over, a short one outside off, for boundary through the backward point.

Shakib got rid of Rahmat Shah when the batter tried to heave but found a top edge. The ball went very high and Litton completed an easy catch at short cover. Rahmat dismissed for 18. Afghanistan 83/2 after 15.1 overs.

After removing Rahmat, Shakib and Mehidy keeps tight line and length as they conceded two runs each in 16 and 17th overs. Afghanistan 88/2 after 17.

Mehidy continues to pile pressure on new batsman Shahidi as he bowled a maiden over. Shahidi remains on three off 15.

Shakib decided to bring back pacer Shoriful despite him and Mehidy was tightening the grip. Gurbaz strikes a boundary in the second ball through mid wicket to release the pressure.

Meheidy continues to ball with discipline and keeps Shahidi under check. The Afghan skipper could pick up only a single after four dot balls, the only run in the 21st over.

Shahidi smashes new bowler Mahmudullah for his first boundary to drive his side past 100. Afghanistan 104/2 after 22 overs.

Mehidy conceded just 2 runs in the 23rd over. His figure is now 5-1-14-0. Afghanistan 106/2.

Shahidi picks up another boundary off Mustafizur through extra cover through a thumping shot. Afghanistan reach 112/2 after 24 overs.

After keeping him under leash, Mehidy hunted Shahidi as the batter tried a desperate swing dancing down the track just to held by Towhid Hridoy at deep-mid on. It was a straight forward catch straight under the sun.

Mustafiz got rid of dangerous Gurbaz. The right-hander who was getting frustrated after a brisk start tried to come down the track and strike Mustafiz. The slower ball outside the off induced an edge and Tanzid held a brilliant running catch at mid-off. Skipper Shakib fist pump. Afghanistan 112/4. Bangladesh on top.

Mehidy conceded five singles in the 27th over after two wicket maidens from him and Mustafiz. Afghanistan 117/4.

Mustafiz finished the 28th over with two dot balls. He is mixing up with slower, cutters and bouncer to keep the batters in guessing. Afghanistan 121/4.

Captain brought himself back and got another wicket. Shakib bowled over the wicket and the left-hander Najibullah missed the ball altogether to find his timbers disturbed. Afghanistan losing the plot.

Pacer Taskin returned with a bang as his over the wicket delivery cartwheeled the off-stump of Nabi. Experienced Afghan got out for six as his side reeling on 126/6.

Azmatullah Omarzai took some counter attack as he struck two boundaries off Shakib in 31st over to take his side to 136-6.

Shoriful induced an edge but there was no slip as the ball raced to boundary. Afghanistan 150/6 after 34 overs.

Impressive Mehidy picked up another wicket as he foxed Rashid Khan to penetrate his defence and strike the wickets. Rashid out for 9, Afghanistan 150/7.

Shoriful was struggling from the beginning but he joined the party of picking up wickets with his fellow bowlers. Azmatullah, who was batting well by scoring regular boundaries, was played on while trying to play a just short of length delivery of Shariful to leg side. Afghanistan innings is in brink as they are reduced to 156-8.

Shoriful bowls the third wicket maiden for Bangladesh in the innings after Mehidy and Mustafiz.

Mujeeb-ur-Rahman's eyes were lit by the flighted delivery of Mehidy but he mistimed the shot and got bowled. Afghan innings crumbling.

Mehidy completes his second wicket maiden. Fourth in the innings.

Shoriful wrapped up the innings as Naveen-ul-Haq was holed in the deep midwicket by Towhid Hridoy for a duck. Afghanistan all out for 156 in 37.2 overs.

Afghanistan seemed to be cruising after the 15 overs as they were on 83-1 with Rahmanullah Gurbaz was going all guns blazing. Shakib got the vital wicket of Rahmat Shah to break his stand with Gurbaz. Skipper Shahidi struggled from the beginning and Mehidy, who kept him under check, finished his struggling innings when the score was 112. The wicket came off a maiden over and Mustafiz produced the turning point in the next over, another wicket maiden, when he removed Gurbaz for 47. Afghanistan lost wickets in regular wickets to be dismissed in 37.2 overs. They lost their last eight wickets in 73 balls for just 44 runs.

Bangladesh lose first wicket as Tanzid Hasan got run out.

He ran towards the other end but then Litton sent him back. Tanzid was a bit slow as well in getting back and a direct hit by Najibullah Zadran found him short off the crease.

Bangladesh 19 for 1.

Litton played on off Fazalhaq Farooqi. The right-handed batter tried to play the left-arm pacer through to off side with two little steps but the inside edge dragged the ball to stumps. Bangladesh 27/2.

Mehidy got a reprieve when he cuts Farooqi to point where Najibullah dropped a sitter. Batters run a single, Bangladesh 39-2 in 8.4 overs.

Desperate Afghans went for a review as the Farroqi delivery struck the pad of Najmul Hossin. Replay shows the ball hit the bat first.

Mehidy and Najmul playing carefully as they picked up four singles and a wide against new bowler Naveen ul Haq's first over. Bangladesh 44/2 after 10 overs.

Mehidy pushed one wrong 'un of leg-spinner Rashid Khan passed the keeper for four. Bangladesh reaches 50!

Rashid Khan bowled another ineffective over as his analysis stood at 6-0-30-0.

Mehidy and Najmul batting in an easy manner as they picked up four singles between them in 23rd over balled by Mujeeb. With the last bowl single Mehidy completes his 50. His third in ODI.

Nabi bowled first maiden of the innings. He kept a consistent line to Mehidy. Bangladesh 103/2 after 24 overs.

Mehidy was given out by umpire as a straight ball from off-spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman struck his pad. But upon review the umpire saw the bat and pad very closed. It was difficult even with ultra-edge but the benefit went in favour of the batter. Decision overruled.

Najmul struck an effortless shot over the bowler's head for the six off the innings. Only scoring off the 27th over. Bangladesh 115-2.

Rashid Khan's review against Najmul was infutile. The ball missed the edge comfortably. Rashid leaked two boundaries in the over.

After dropping some easy catches Afghanistan held a scintillating catch. Mehidy tried to clear the 30-yard circle with a lofted shot of pacer Naveen ul Haq but Rahmat took an overhead catch in acrobatic style. Bangladesh felt the ball might touch the grass when the fielder made a somersault. But the replay showed the catch was clean as a whistle. Bangladesh lose third wicket. Mehidy and Najmul's stand ended on 97.

Shakib paddle sweeps the leggie to beat the backward square leg fielder whose desperate attempt saw a piece of earth came off with him. The outfield looks underprepared and awful.

Medium pacer Omarzai introduced to attack. He concedes just two runs. Bangladesh 137-3 after 32 overs.

Bangladesh batters taking the safe route taking 2-3 runs per over and not thinking about net run rate.

The second ball of the 34th over from Naveen is put for a four by Shakib. Bangladesh just 11 away from victory.

Just after hitting the four Shakib went for a six through the same area but got caught by Farrooqi. Shakib made 14 off 19.

Najmul pulls Omarzai for a single and reaches his 50. Bangladesh nine runs away with 16 overs to go.

Najmul hits a short pitch Naveen delivery to onside for four and smashed the next delivery through mid-off to reach the target. Bangladesh win in 34.4 overs.

Bangladesh clinched a comprehensive victory in their World Cup opener against Afghanistan as Mehidy Hasan Miraz starred both with bowl and bat. After a good start Afghanistan reached 82-1 in just 15 overs and looked to set a big total. But Shakib got rid of Rahmat Shah before Mehidy and Mustafizur Rahman bowled two consecutive wicket maidens to reduced the Afghans to 112-4. The Bangladeshi bowlers wrapped the innings for just 156 as Mehidy and Shakib picked three wickets each. In reply, Bangladesh got some early hiccups as they lost both the openers rather cheaply to become 27-2 but Mehidy and Najmul Hasan knitted a 97-run stand to ease the chase. Mehidy got out for 57 and Shakib was dismissed for 14 but Najmul, who made highest 59, remained not out and ended the match with two consecutive boundaries. Bangladesh winning the match with over 15 overs to spare and helped boost their net run-rate that may prove handy later in the series.