Asia Cup 2018: Imrul Kayes scores half-century on return as Bangladesh beat Afghanistan

Denzil Pinto 23:50 23/09/2018
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  • Imrul Kayes let the bat do the talking

    Imrul Kayes proved why he was recalled to the Bangladesh team as he and Mahmadullah struck vital half-centuries to help beat Afghanistan in a tense three-run win to keep their Asia Cup hopes alive.

    Both nations travelled to the Sheikh Zayed Stadium knowing only victory would do to have any chance of making Friday’s final.

    And it was Bangladesh who were celebrating in the UAE capital as Kayes (72 not out) and Mahmudullah (74) delivered in style to put an end to a two-match losing streak, including Thursday’s 136-run loss to the same opponents. The pair put on a 128-run stand for the sixth wicket which saw them recover from 87-5 to a competitive 249-7.

    Mohammad Shahzad (53) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (71) scored fifties to set up a frantic finish, with Afghanistan needing four off the last ball. But Mustafiqur Rahman kept his cool at the death.

    While Bangladesh can look forward to a winner-takes-all clash against Pakistan in Wednesday’s Super Four clash for a place in the final, it could have been so different had it not been for Kayes.

    The batsman only joined up with his team-mates at the weekend after being drafted in by the board and his own selection was even questioned by captain Mashrafe Mortaza. But the 31-year-old silenced any doubters in a patient 89-ball knock which included six boundaries.

    Earlier, Bangladesh got off to the worst possible start when Nazmul Shanto (6) and Mohammad Mithun (1) were dismissed in the first five overs. Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim rebuilt the innings with a 63-run stand with the latter striking back-to-back boundaries off Aftab Alam.

    Das then pulled Rashid Khan at extra-cover for a four but that was as good as it got for the opener. The 23-year-old only had himself to blame when he edged an unnecessary shot at slip to end his impressive innings.

    Bangladesh’s task got even more difficult when experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was run-out for a duck.

    When Rahim was run-out, the Tigers were in real danger of even reaching the 150-mark after losing half their team with only 87 on the board.

    But Mahmudullah and Kayes had other ideas and frustrated the Afghan bowlers with a 128-run stand. In a dominant spell at the crease, the pair showed composure to deal with the threat of Rashid and Co. Mahmudullah brought up his fifty in the 40th over before Kayes repeated the feat.

    Alam broke the partnership soon after with the dismissal of Mahmudullah and the bowler claimed his third when Mohammad Shahzad caught Mortaza behind.

    With a target of 250, it was a test of how Afghanistan would fare under pressure having always bowled first in the competition. The signs were there after Ihansullah and Rahmat Shah fell with 26 on the board. Although Shahzad and Shahidi reached fifties, Bangladesh bowlers held their nerves to seal victory.

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