Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – as it happened

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – as it happened These were the updates from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh on October 7, 2023.

All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored a half-century and took three wickets as Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by six wickets to get their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign off to a solid start at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.

After Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field first, Afghanistan set them a low target of 157 to win after a middle-order collapse.

Bangladesh reached their target in 34.4 overs.

Bangladesh Open Campaign With Six-wicket Win

Mehidy Hasan Miraz produced an all-round show in Dharamsala as Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by six wickets to start their Cricket World Cup campaign. After opting to bowl first, Bangladesh spinners ran through Afghanistan batters to bowl them out for 156 in 37.2 overs. Mehidy took 3/25 while Shakib Al Hasan took 3/30. In reply, Bangladesh lost their openers early before Mehidy and Najmul Hossain Shanto joined hands to add 97 runs for the fourth wicket to put their team on course. Mehidy made 57. Najmul also completed his half-century and remained unbeaten on 59 hitting the winning boundary.Najmul Hossain Shanto seals the win in style with back-to-back boundaries off Naveen-ul-Haq – pull to deep square leg region, drive through mid-off. Najmul remains unbeaten on 59. A comfortable win for Bangladesh as they beat Afghanistan by six wickets in Dharamsala. Afghanistan were listless today.

A rollercoaster of a start for Afghanistan with highs at the start of both innings followed by deep drop-offs.

A mere merry-go-round for Bangladesh ahead of England – all that was missing was the candy floss.

Hope you enjoyed our coverage of the action today at the delightful Dharamsala.

Join us again tomorrow for more 2023 Cricket World Cup coverage when we bring you a blockbuster as India take on Australia in Chennai.

For now though, thanks for following and goodbye.

For Afghanistan it’s on to Delhi to face the hosts and heavy favourites for the tournament, India.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi reflected: “We had a good start but in the middle after losing the second and third wickets we had bad shot selection.

“Their bowlers bowled tight and I’ll give them credit for that.

“I thought we fought well but we did not have enough to defend.

“We need to learn from our mistakes and not do it again.”

Bangladesh captain Shakib said: “We didn’t start the way we wanted but we came back well. All credit to the bowlers and kept and fielded well.

“We also have a seam attack who will go on to do well here.

“We trained really hard on this surface the last two days. We talked about it in the dressing room and said the outfield could not be our excuse and if we want to do well we have to adapt.

On Player of the Match, Miraz, Shakib added, “He’s one of out form players, he and Shanto are confident and did well for the team today.”

Bangladesh win by six wickets!

With three to win Shanto opens up for his third four of his innings – smashing a drive off Naveen through mid-off.

Shanto finishes unbeaten on 59.

Almost fittingly for Afghanistan it was an untidy piece of fielding, at best, that allowed the ball through to win the game.