Cricket
Fargana leads the way as Bangladesh and India tie 3rd ODI, also series
Bangladesh Women came close to registering their first-ever ODI series win against the star-studded India but fell just short. Nonetheless, they can take pride in not losing the series against a team considered much stronger than Bangladesh.
At the end of the match, Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian captain, expressed her frustration with the umpiring in this series. She said, "I think therea are a lot for us to learn. We were very surprised by the umpiring in this series."
"The next time we come to Bangladesh, we will have to deal with this type of umpiring," she added.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a solid start with opener Shamima Sultana scoring a patient half-century. However, it was Fargana Hoque who stole the show, crafting a brilliant 107 off 160 deliveries—marking the maiden ODI century by a Bangladeshi woman. Fargana hit seven boundaries in her innings and single-handedly held the Bangladesh innings together as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end.
In the end, Bangladesh managed to post a competitive total of 225/4 in their 50 overs, thanks to Fargana's heroics. Sneh Rana was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking two wickets for 45 runs, while Devika Vaidya took the other wicket.
Chasing 226 for victory, India got off to a poor start, losing opener Shafali Verma in the second over. Yastika Bhatia also fell cheaply, leaving India in trouble at 32/2. However, Harleen Deol and Smriti Mandhana put on a crucial partnership to steady the innings. In the third-wicket stand, they added 107 runs to the board.
Deol played a brilliant knock of 77 off 108 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries in the process. She was involved in two important partnerships, first with Mandhana and then with Jemimah Rodrigues. Mandhana posted 59 off 85 balls, while Jemimah remained unbeaten on 33 off 45 balls.
However, India lost wickets at crucial junctures, including Deol, who was run out in the 42nd over, which kept the game in the balance.
With one over to go, India needed 3 runs to win. However, Bangladesh held their nerve and managed to tie the game, with India finishing on 225/10 in 49.3 overs.
Marufa conceded two runs off the first two balls of the last over, and on the third ball, she scalped the wicket of Meghna Singh, confirming India's inability to win this match. India lost the last five wickets for just 34 runs.
For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter picked up three wickets, and Marufa Akter scalped two, while Fahima Khatun and Sultana Khatun took a wicket each.
“We are looking forward to carrying this moment. As a batting unit, we collapse usually, but from here, we can have many takeaways moving forward,” Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said.
With this thrilling tie, Bangladesh managed to level the series. The Tigress had won the first match of the series, but India bounced back in the second match.
Fargana becomes first Bangladeshi to score a century in Women's ODIs
Right-handed opener Fargana Hoque Pinky made history on Saturday (July 22, 2023) by becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to score a hundred in women's ODI.
She achieved this milestone during the third match of the three-match ODI series against India at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
Prior to Fargana's century, the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi woman in ODIs was 75, achieved by former captain Salma Khatun against India in 2013.
Read: Bangladesh Women Register Historic Maiden ODI Win Against India
Winning the toss in Saturday's match, Bangladesh chose to bat first and posted a total of 225 for four wickets in 50 overs.
Fargana led the batting with a remarkable 107 runs off 160 balls, including seven fours. She had a solid opening partnership with Sharmin Sultana, and together they added 93 runs — the highest opening stand by the Bangladesh team against India in ODIs so far.
Read: Bangladesh Women's team beat India in 3rd T20I
Bangladesh had already secured a historic victory in the series opener against India, marking their first-ever ODI win against their rivals. However, in the second match, the visitors managed to bounce back and level the series.
Read more: Bangladesh Women Register Historic Maiden ODI Win Against India
ACC Emerging Cup: Batting woes end Bangladesh’s final dream
India A emerged victorious over Bangladesh A in the 2nd Semi-Final of the ACC Men's Emerging Cup beating Bangladesh by 51 runs.
India A's batters put up a competitive total of 211 runs while batting first, and their bowlers displayed tremendous discipline to restrict Bangladesh A to 160, securing a 51-run win and advancing to the final.
Read: ACC Emerging Cup: Bangladesh A march to semifinals beating Afghanistan
Winning the toss, Bangladesh A captain, Saif Hassan, elected to field first, hoping to capitalize on the pitch's early assistance. India A's opening batters, Sai Sudharsan and Abhishek Sharma, provided a steady start, but their dismissals by Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rakibul Hasan respectively put the pressure on the middle order.
Yash Dhull, the India A captain, led from the front with a well-crafted innings. He played with composure and determination, scoring 66 runs off 85 deliveries. His knock included six boundaries and helped anchor the innings amidst wickets falling at regular intervals.
Nikin Jose and Manav Suthar contributed valuable runs to take India A past the 200-run mark. Nishant Sindhu showcased his all-round abilities, adding five wickets to his earlier batting effort, making a significant impact.
Read: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
Chasing a target of 212, Bangladesh A's openers, Mohammad Naim and Tanzid Hasan, started confidently, stitching a solid partnership. However, Manav Suthar's crucial breakthrough dismissed Naim for 38. Tanzid Hasan continued his fine form and scored a well-crafted half-century, but Nishant Sindhu struck again for India, removing him for 51 runs.
Bangladesh A faced some middle-order collapses as Abhishek Sharma and Yuvrajsinh Dodiya made inroads. Saif Hassan tried to fight, but his dismissal by Abhishek Sharma for 22 dealt a big blow to the chase. The pressure mounted, and the Indian bowlers capitalized on the situation.
Read: Bangladesh Women Register Historic Maiden ODI Win Against India
Sindhu's exceptional bowling display, finishing with five wickets for 20 runs, was the turning point of the match. He received valuable support from Suthar, who claimed three wickets for 32 runs, and Abhishek Sharma with one wicket. Bangladesh A ultimately faltered, bowled out for 160 runs in 34.2 overs.
Now, India A will take on Pakistan A in the final on July 23 in Colombo. In the first Semi-Final, they beat the hosts Sri Lanka by 60 runs and marched to the final.
ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
Set to take place in India, the 13th edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup tournament is scheduled to kick off on October 5 and end on November 19, 2023. The 48 matches of the 2023 World Cup will take place in 10 venues across India. The stadiums are located in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamshala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune. Let’s get to know the details about each venue.
10 Stadiums in India to Host the ICC World Cup 2023
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Narendra Modi Stadium, located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, is a renowned cricket stadium known for its magnificence and record-breaking capacity. Formerly known as Motera Stadium, it was renamed in 2021 in honour of the current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, who served as president of the Gujarat Cricket Association from 2009 to 2014 and the chief minister of the state from 2001 to 2014.
The stadium boasts a massive seating capacity of 132,000 spectators, making it the largest cricket stadium in the world. Established in 1982, it has witnessed numerous historic events, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup quarterfinal between India and Australia and the pink-ball Test match between India and England in 2021. With its state-of-the-art facilities and awe-inspiring infrastructure, Narendra Modi Stadium continues to be a symbol of cricketing excellence.
The final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is scheduled to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023.
Read more: How to get an Indian Tourist Visa from Bangladesh
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, is a prestigious cricket stadium that has left an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape. Previously known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium and later renamed after M. Chinnaswamy, a former president (served from 1977 to 1980) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the stadium is renowned for its electric atmosphere and obsessive fans.
With a seating capacity of around 40,000 spectators, it provides an intimate yet vibrant setting for cricket matches. Established in 1969, the stadium has witnessed several significant events, including Afghanistan’s first test match and memorable Indian Premier League (IPL) encounters.
Read more: How to Apply for Indian Medical Visa from Bangladesh
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium is a renowned cricket stadium known for its rich history and cricketing culture. With a seating capacity of around 50,000 spectators, it is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Established in 1916, it has hosted numerous significant events, including Test matches, ODIs, and IPL matches. The stadium has witnessed three World Cups in 1987, 1996, and 2011. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium continues to be a cherished venue for cricket enthusiasts and remains an iconic symbol of the sport in Chennai.
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Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, is a renowned cricket stadium situated in New Delhi, the capital city of India. Named after the late Arun Jaitley, a prominent Indian politician and former president of the Delhi & District Cricket Association, the stadium stands as a fitting tribute to his contributions to Indian cricket.
With a seating capacity of approximately 41,842 spectators, Arun Jaitley Stadium provides an exhilarating atmosphere for cricket matches. Established in 1883, it holds the distinction of being one of the oldest cricket venues in India.
This ground witnessed remarkable performances and memorable moments, such as Anil Kumble’s iconic 10 wickets in a test inning against Pakistan in 1999 and Hemu Adhikari and Ghulam Ahmed’s record tenth wicket stand of 111 runs in 1952.
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HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, stands as a picturesque cricket venue. With a capacity of around 23,000 spectators, this stadium offers a serene and awe-inspiring backdrop for cricket matches.
Built in 2003, it is a relatively new addition to the cricket scene but has swiftly gained recognition for its unique location and excellent facilities. The HPCA Stadium has hosted several notable matches, including international encounters and IPL matches. Cricketers and fans enjoy the breathtaking views, cool climate, and vibrant atmosphere that make watching a match here a truly memorable experience.
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
Located in Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana state in India, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium stands as a modern and impressive cricket venue. Named in honour of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, this stadium holds a capacity of approximately 55,000 spectators.
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It was built in 2003; it is a relatively young stadium that has quickly gained recognition for its state-of-the-art facilities and excellent playing conditions. It has witnessed remarkable moments, such as Sachin Tendulkar’s 17,000 runs in ODI.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Eden Gardens, situated in the bustling city of Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is an iconic cricket stadium with a rich history and a passionate fan base. With a staggering capacity of around 68,000 spectators, it is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world.
ACC Emerging Cup: Bangladesh A march to semifinals beating Afghanistan
Bangladesh A beat their Afghan counterparts in the 9th match of Group A in the ACC Men's Emerging Cup on Tuesday.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy hit a century for Bangladesh while Zakir Hasan scored a fifty and Soumya Sarkar contributed with a handy 48. With the ball, Tanzim Hasan Sakib starred taking three wickets for the Tigers while Ripon Mondal and Soumya took two wickets each.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh posted a challenging total of 308/7 in their allotted 50 overs. In response, Afghanistan A fought valiantly but fell short, managing 287/8, giving Bangladesh A a hard-fought victory by 21 runs.
Mahmudul’s masterclass at the crease was crucial in setting up the foundation for Bangladesh’s imposing total.
The Bangladeshi top-order also contributed significantly, with Zakir scoring 62 runs off 72 deliveries, and Soumya adding a quick 48 runs from 42 balls. The Afghanistan bowlers had to work hard, with Mohammad Saleem being the pick of the bowlers, claiming four wickets for 65 runs in his 10 overs.
Chasing the challenging target, Afghanistan started with determination, but they lost early wickets. Riaz Hassan held the innings together with a gritty knock of 78 runs off 105 balls. However, the Afghan middle-order couldn't capitalize on their starts. Bahir Shah played an unbeaten innings of 53 runs off 50 balls, but it wasn't enough to take his team across the finish line.
Bangladesh’s bowling attack displayed excellent discipline to contain the Afghanistan A batters.
In the end, Bangladesh's total proved to be enough as they emerged victorious by 21 runs.
With this win, Bangladesh marched to the semifinals of the ACC Men's Emerging Cup.
Crickex.in signs sponsorship deal with Galle Titans for the Lanka Premier League 2023
Crickex.in, a prominent cricketing platform, announced sponsorship deal with the Galle Titans, as their principal sponsor for the upcoming Lanka Premier League 2023 season scheduled to be held in Colombo and Kandy from July 30 to August 20, 2023.
The two entities share a common vision of promoting cricket and fostering a sporting environment. Crickex.in is committed to enhancing fan experience and aims to support Galle Titans in their campaign during the Lanka Premier League 2023, according to a Crickex.in press release.
Also read: Analysis of 2023 BAN vs AFG T20I Series
The cricket website will play a pivotal role in elevating the Lanka Premier League experience for players and fans alike. With its user-friendly interface, Crickex.in will provide its supporters with real-time updates throughout the tournament.
Commenting on the partnership, a representative from Crickex.in said, "We are thrilled to partner with the Galle Titans. The team has a rich history and are known for their performance. We are committed to supporting the team and providing an unparalleled cricketing experience for fans. Together, we aim to take the Lanka Premier League to new heights."
Also read: Bangladesh clinch T20I series against Afghanistan with easy win
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Galle Titans expressed team’s enthusiasm on the collaboration, "We are delighted to have Crickex.in as our principal sponsor. This partnership is a testament to the team's success and recognition in the cricketing world. We look forward to working closely with Crickex.in to provide an exciting and memorable experience for our fans and supporters."
Star Sports, the country’s leading sports network, will have the exclusive television media rights for the upcoming tournament. Star Sports will also telecast live action, exclusively in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and MENA region including UAE.
Also read: Bangladesh Women Register Historic Maiden ODI Win Against India
Analysis of 2023 BAN vs AFG T20I Series
Afghanistan's relationship with T20 cricket is different. Afghans have been dominating this format. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s relationship is completely opposite. Finally, the knot has opened, and Tigers have won the latest series against Afghanistan. And it is the fourth consecutive T20I series win for Bangladesh. After first defeating the world champions England, then Ireland, Bangladesh won the T20 series for the first time against the Afghans. Bangladesh reached the target of 119 runs given by Afghans with 5 balls remaining in the match, which was reduced to 17 overs due to rain.
Afghanistan’s Overall Performance
In the first T20I match against Bangladesh, Afghanistan opted to bat and aimed for a target of around 150 runs. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz opened the innings but had a slow start. However, they managed to overcome the Bangladeshi bowlers in the second over. Zazai was dismissed for 8 runs, followed by Rahmanullah for 16 runs. Ibrahim Zadran and Karim Janat tried to stabilise the innings but couldn’t form a significant partnership. Nabi and Najibullah contributed 35 runs together, but their partnership was broken. Mohammad Nabi played a remarkable innings, scoring 54 runs, helping Afghanistan reach a total of 154 runs. In the bowling department, Afghanistan used seven bowlers, all of whom managed to take wickets except for Mohammad Nabi. Mujeeb, Rashid, Azmatullah, Farooqi, and Fareed took one wicket each, and Karim Janat achieved a hat-trick.
In the second T20I match, Afghanistan’s batting performance was challenging due to losing early wickets. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a boundary but got out for 8 runs in the first over. Hazratullah Zazai also fell quickly in the third over. After a rain-related delay, Mustafizur dismissed Mohammad Nabi, while Shakib sent Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah back to the pavilion. Azmatullah Omarzai and Karim Janat tried to recover the innings but were eventually dismissed after scoring 42 runs. Rashid Khan’s team could only reach 116 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 17 overs due to the rain interruption. In terms of bowling, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2 wickets in his 4 overs, and Azmatullah Omarzai also claimed 2 wickets in his 3 overs. Despite their efforts, Afghanistan couldn’t secure a victory in the second T20I against Bangladesh.
Read more: Bangladesh clinch T20I series against Afghanistan with easy win
Bangladesh’s Overall Performance
Bangladesh had a solid overall performance in the T20 series against Afghanistan. In the first T20I, the Bangladesh team faced an early setback when Rony Talukdar was bowled out by Farooqi in the first over. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das tried to control the innings, but Shanto got dismissed after scoring 12 runs. Litton also went soon after, scoring 18 runs. However, the partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Hridoy boosted Bangladesh’s innings. Shakib contributed 19 runs before being caught by Karim off Fareed’s delivery. Shamim Hossain and Hridoy then built a partnership of 73 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin, and Nasum got out in quick succession, giving Karim Janat a hat trick. However, Shoriful Islam’s boundary helped Bangladesh reach the target. In the bowling, Shakib, Nasum, Taskin, Shoriful, Mustafiz, and Miraz claimed one wicket each. Shakib and Taskin bowled four overs, while Nasum and Shoriful bowled three overs each. Miraz bowled two overs in the match.
In the second T20I, Litton Das and Afif Hossain provided a strong opening partnership for Bangladesh. Litton played aggressively, and the team quickly crossed the 50-run mark without losing a wicket. However, Litton got out after scoring 67 runs, followed by Afif’s dismissal. Nazmul Hasan Shanto couldn’t stay at the crease for long and was dismissed for 4 runs. Hridoy and Shakib played crucial roles in maintaining the run flow and securing victory with 5 balls to spare. However, Taskin was impressive in the bowling department, taking 3 wickets in his 4 overs with an economy rate of 8.25. Mustafiz and Shakib contributed with 2 wickets each. Hasan Mahmud and Nasum Ahmed couldn’t claim any wickets in the match.
Overall, Bangladesh showed a strong batting performance in both matches, with key contributions from various players. Their bowling unit also performed well, taking regular wickets and containing the Afghan batsmen effectively.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Schedule Revealed: Bangladesh to face Afghanistan in First Match
Overall Stats of the Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2023
Table: Overall stats
Matches
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
1st T20I
154/7
157/8 Bangladesh won by 2 wickets (with 1 ball remaining)
2nd T20I
116/7
119/4 Bangladesh won by 6 wickets (with 5 balls remaining)
Best Performers in the 2023 BAN vs AFG T20I Series
Table: Top performers of Bangladesh and Afghanistan Squads in the T20 Series 2023
Player
Performance
Shakib Al Hasan
4 wickets and 37 runs
Azmatullah Omarzai
3 Wickets and 58 runs
Mohammad Nabi
70 runs
Towhid Hridoy
66 runs
Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan, the star all-rounder, had an impressive performance in the T20 series against Afghanistan. In the first T20I, Shakib showcased his skills with both bat and ball. He contributed 19 runs with the bat. Additionally, he made a significant impact with the ball, taking two crucial wickets to help restrict Afghanistan’s batting line-up. In the second T20I, Shakib continued to display his all-round prowess. He played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s victory by scoring an unbeaten 18 runs and taking 2 wickets.
Read more: Bangladesh Women Register Historic Maiden ODI Win Against India
Azmatullah Omarzai
Azmatullah Omarzai did really well in the T20 cricket series against Bangladesh. He showed his skills in both batting and bowling. In the first game, he scored 33 runs with the bat. He also took a wicket while bowling. In the second game, Azmatullah continued to impress everyone. He scored 25 runs, which was important for his team when things were a bit difficult. He helped Afghanistan get a good score on the scoreboard. He also took two wickets.
Mohammad Nabi
Nabi was the highest run scorer in the T20 series. He scored 70 runs in two matches. He scored 54 runs from 40 balls in the first match and remained not out. However, his performance was a bit low in the second match, as he scored 16 runs from 22 deliveries.
Towhid Hridoy
Hridoy was the highest run scorer for Bangladesh accumulating 66 runs. His 47 runs in the first match helped Bangladesh win the match. However, the 19 runs from 17 balls in the second match also contributed greatly to the team’s victory.
Final Words
The Bangladesh vs Afghanistan series 2023 included Test, ODI and T20 matches. First, Afghans lost the Test match against Bangladesh. Then in the ODI series, the Afghanistan team turned things around and won. After that, in the T20 matches, the Bangladesh team, led by Shakib, got revenge for their loss in the ODI series. Bangladesh won all the T20 matches against Afghanistan.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Bangladesh clinch T20I series against Afghanistan with easy win
Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by six wickets on Sunday under the DLS Method and clinched the two-match T20I series in Sylhet 2-0.
Earlier the hosts played a three-match ODI series against the same opponent and lost by 2-1. But they bounced back in the shortest format with two consecutive wins. The hosts also won a one-off Test earlier in the summer.
Winning the toss, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan elected to field first. Taskin Ahmed struck early, dismissing both openers within the first three overs. This set the tone for a competitive contest.
Ibrahim Zadran tried to stabilize the innings with 22 off 27 balls, but Shakib had other plans as he got the better of Zadran, providing Bangladesh with another breakthrough. Mohammad Nabi contributed with a valuable knock of 16 runs, but wickets at regular intervals kept Afghanistan from building a substantial partnership.
Read: Bangladesh Women Register Historic Maiden ODI Win Against India
Azmatullah Omarzai played a vital innings, scoring 25 runs off 21 balls, guiding Afghanistan to a competitive total. However, they were restricted to 116/7 in their allotted 17 overs.
With three wickets conceding 33 runs, Taskin was the best bowler in the overcast condition. Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib bagged two wickets each.
Chasing 119, a target set by the DL Method, Bangladesh got off to a flying start with Litton Das and Afif Hossain putting up a solid 50-run partnership. Litton, in particular, was in fine form, smashing 35 runs off 36 balls.
Read: Analysis of BAN vs AFG 1st T20I 2023
Just when it seemed Bangladesh was cruising, Afghanistan's bowlers struck back with quick wickets. Mujeeb Ur Rahman turned the tide in Afghanistan's favor with two crucial wickets.
Afif Hossain's 24 runs and Towhid Hridoy's cameo of 19 runs kept the momentum going for Bangladesh. With just 5 balls remaining, Bangladesh managed to reach 119/4, securing a six-wicket win as per the DLS method.
Read more: 1st T20I: Tigers leave it late but win despite Janat hattrick
Bangladesh Women Register Historic Maiden ODI Win Against India
Bangladesh Women registered their maiden ODI win against India on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
It was the first match of the three-match ODI series. Before this, Bangladesh Women had played five matches against India and had failed to win any of them.
On Sunday, India won the toss and chose to field first. The hosts posted a total of 152 for 9 in 43 overs. Shorna Akter was unable to bat due to falling ill after the toss. The match was reduced to 44 overs per side due to rain.
Bangladesh Women's team beat India in 3rd T20I
Captain Nigar Sultana was the highest scorer with 39 off 64 balls, while Fargana Hoque contributed 27.
For India, Amanjot Kaur took four wickets conceding 31 runs in nine overs, while Devika Vaidya took two.
In reply, India failed to build strong partnerships. Both openers, Priya Puniya and Smriti Mandhana, managed to get off to good starts, but they were unable to capitalize on them. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia scored 15, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur returned just 5.
Women's T20I: India defend 95 to seal series win against Bangladesh
Deepti Sharma and Amanjot scored 20 and 15 respectively and helped India stay in the fight and put pressure on Bangladesh. However, Nahida Akter removed Deepti, while Marufa Akter scalped the wicket of Amanjot, putting the pressure back on India.
India lost eight wickets for under 100 runs. Eventually, they were all out for 113, losing the match by 40 runs. Marufa bagged four wickets while Rabeya Khan took three.
The next two matches are scheduled on July 19th and 22nd at the same venue.
Analysis of BAN vs AFG 1st T20I 2023
Bangladesh won by 2 wickets in the first T20 match of the series against Afghanistan. In response to the 155 runs target given by the Afghans, the Tigers reached the target with 1 ball in hand. Despite Afghanistan’s Karim Janat’s hat-trick in the last over, Tigers eventually left the field with a victory. Thus Shakib Al Hasan’s team took a 1-0 lead in the BAN vs AFG T20I series.
Afghanistan’s Batting Performance
Table: Afghanistan’s Top Performers
Player
Runs
Mohammad Nabi
54 (Not Out)
Azmatullah Omarzai
33
Najibullah Zadran
23
Read more: 1st T20I: Tigers leave it late but win despite Janat hattrick
After winning the toss, Shakib Al Hasan sent Afghans to batting. However, Afghanistan got its expected score. At the time of the toss, Afghan captain Rashid Khan said they were eyeing around 150 runs, and they scored 154 runs from 7 wickets.
Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were openers for Afghanistan. Even though they started slowly, the duo overcame the Bangladeshi bowlers in the second over. However, Zazai returned to the pavilion for 8 runs after being defeated by Nasum’s spin. Then Ibrahim Zadran came to the crease. Rahmanullah was sent to the pavilion in the fourth over of the match, as he was caught by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. He scored 16 runs with two boundaries and a six before being dismissed by Taskin. Later, Karim Janat came to the wicket to make a partnership with Ibrahim. However, the visitors did not get any benefit from that. Ibrahim, who achieved a remarkable century in the ODI, made his way back to the dressing room following his dismissal by Shoriful's fast bowling.
Afghanistan lost wickets at regular intervals, and they were under pressure. In 7.4 overs of the match, Tiger captain Shakib sent Karim Janat to the pavilion. Later, Nabi and Najibullah led the team’s innings and reduced some pressure; 35 runs come from this pair. However, Miraz broke their partnership. In the 13th over of the match, Najibullah was caught out by Liton in Miraz’s ball. He scored 23 runs before getting out. In the last minute of the match, Azmatullah Omarzai started scoring runs quickly with fours and sixes. However, he had to stop at 33 runs in Shakib’s spin. Then the Afghan captain Rashid Khan came to the wicket.
Read more: Overview of BAN vs AFG ODI Series 2023
Mohammad Nabi scored the fifth fifty of his T20 career by hitting Mustafizur for a boundary in 19.3 balls of the match. Then he added 1 more run. As a result, Nabi played a great innings of 54 runs when the team was struggling. The Afghans stopped at 154 runs.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Performance
Shakib Al Hasan used six bowlers, including himself, and all of them got at least one wicket. Nasum, Taskin, Shoriful, Mustafiz, and Miraz got one wicket each. Only Shakib Al Hasan got two wickets. Shakib, Taskin, and Mustafiz bowled four overs, while Nasum and Shoriful bowled 3 overs each. However, Miraz bowled 2 overs.
Bangladesh’s Batting Performance
Table: Bangladesh’s Top Performers
Player
Runs
Towhid Hridoy
47 (not out)
Shamim Hossain
33
Shakib Al Hasan
19
Read more: Bangladesh Women's team beat India in 3rd T20I
The host Bangladesh got a shock at the beginning when they came to bat. Rony Talukdar and Litton Das opened the innings for Bangladesh. However, Roni returned after being bowled at the last ball of the first over of the match. He scored 4 runs before being dismissed by Farooqi.
Then Najmul Hossain Shanto came to the crease to lead the team. He started to rotate the strike by understanding the behavior of the wicket. Further, Litton also tried to advance the team’s innings with Shanto. In the sixth over of the match, Shanto was unfortunately dismissed by Mujeeb after scoring 12 runs. After that, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan came to the wicket. Litton gave away the wicket before being partnered with Shakib. Litton scored 18 runs off 19 balls in this match.
After that, the Shakib-Hridoy duo continued to advance the team’s innings. However, Shakib returned to the pavilion after being caught by Karim on Fareed’s ball. The Tiger captain scored 19 runs in three boundaries.
Next, Shamim Hossain came to the pitch. As soon as he started batting, he fell into LBW but the umpire denied the appeal. Shamim-Hridoy took the team’s innings slowly after handling the pressure. This pair scored 73 runs. Shamim gave away his wicket on a wrong shot to bring the team to the edge of victory. He was caught by Gurbaz while sweeping Rashid’s ball. He had to stop at 33 runs.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Then Mehidy Hasan Miraz came to pitch. However, while playing Karim’s ball to midwicket, he was caught by Nabi. After that, Taskin and Nasum got out in the next two balls and Karim Janat got his hat trick. This turned the match into drama. However, Shoriful Islam took a boundary after coming to the wicket. As a result, the Tigers reached the target.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Performance
Rashid Khan used 7 bowlers, and all of them got wickets except Mohammad Nabi. Farooqi, Mujeeb, Azmatullah, Rashid, and Fareed got one wicket each. However, Karim Janat got a hat trick by bowling 1.5 overs.
Final Words
The second and last match of the 2023 BAN vs AFG T20I series will take place on July 16 at the same venue at the same time. The first match was very close for both teams. So, it is evident that both teams will take mental preparation to fight hard. But yesterday’s win will surely boost the tiger’s confidence.
Read more: Watch Live BAN vs AFG Series 2023 on Toffee: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI cricket series will be broadcasted live on Toffee app