The bowlers brought the match in hand with the ball. Bangladesh needed just 157 runs to start their World Cup mission by defeating Afghanistan. Although the target was small, Bangladesh did not start well. Lost the two openers within 27 runs. Fear was lurking. However, all-rounders Mehdi Miraj and Nazmul Shanto removed that apprehension. After bowling, Miraj stood as a shield against the Afghans with the bat as well. He played some brave shots.
Fortune is with the brave. Miraj got one chance after another because of that. Before getting out, he picked up a fifty and laid the foundation for the team's victory. Standing on that foundation, Bangladesh won by 6 wickets with 92 balls to spare. It is Bangladesh's first win in the tournament.
In reply to the 158 runs given by the Afghans in Dharamsala, Tanjid Tamim fell into the trap of being run out at team's 19 runs. After that another opener Liton Das also had to return to the dressing room when the stump was broken by Fazalhaq Farooq. Bangladesh lost two openers for 27 runs and fell under a bit of pressure.
After that, Bangladesh put Afghans under reverse pressure after overcoming that pressure with the bat of Miraj. Nazmul Shanto and Miraj's third wicket partnership of 97 runs secured the victory. However, Miraj gave several opportunities to the Afghans on this day. However, the fielder of the team could not seize that opportunity. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Miraj took Bangladesh to victory by scoring the third half-century of his ODI career.
After that, however, he had to return to the dressing room for 57 runs by Naveen-ul-Haq. But by that time, Bangladesh was very close to victory. After that Shanto managed the rest of the way with captain Shakib and Mushfiq. After playing an innings of 59 runs off 83 balls, this batsman left the field to ensure the victory of the team.
Earlier, Tiger captain Shakib Al Hasan decided to field first after winning the toss in their first match in the 2023 World Cup at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium in Dharamshala. There are eight batsmen in the XI. Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Tawheed Hriday and Shariful Islam are playing their first match in the ODI World Cup.
The Afghans began to look forward to batting. But the Tiger bowlers did not let it last. Rashid-Navi lost eight wickets in the last 46 runs. They were bowled out for 156 runs in 37.2 overs.