Mahmudullah, Imrul lift Tigers

Fifties from Mahmudullah and Imrul Kayes led Bangladesh to 249 despite early disasters in their Asia Cup Super Four game against Afghanistan on Sunday.

The duo made 128 in the sixth wicket, a partnership that probably vindicated the decision to send Imrul, an opener, at number six.

Mahmudullah was the highest scorer, with a classic 74 off 81 balls, made with three fours and two sixes while Imrul kept it going after the former's departure.

Imrul was unbeaten at the end of the innings, hitting a four in the last ball that took his individual score to 72 and set the Afghans a target of exactly 250.

The batsman hit six fours and his fans will be delighted he justified the management's decision to fly him to the UAE in the middle of the tournament.

Earlier, opener Liton Das missed out on his maiden fifty, but his 41 saved Bangladesh from a disaster after Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mohammad Mithun had fallen inside six overs.

Liton and Mushfiqur Rahim then added 63 in the third wicket before Liton gave a catch trying to go big on Rashid Khan.

Just a ball later, Shakib Al Hasan made a serious error in judgement to get run out while another misunderstanding between Mushfiq and Imrul Kayes saw the former of the two caught off the crease.

Mushfiq's 33-run innings featured two fours and a six while Liton hit three fours in his promising knock.

Aftab Alam bagged three wickets for the Afghans.