Twitter Lauds Afghanistan As They Beat Bangladesh In First T20I To Take Lead

Published - 04 Jun 2018, 10:32 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:00 AM

Before the series had started, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan had surprisingly claimed that Afghanistan were the favourites. Many thought that his assertion was based on the difference between the two team’s rankings. Afghanistan are number 8 in ICC T20 rankings while Bangladesh are placed tenth. But whatever the reasons were behind Shakib’s statement, Afghanistan totally justified them by thrashing the Tigers in the first T20I on Sunday (June 3).

Afghanistan’s spin troika of Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan never allowed Bangladesh to settle down as the hosts won the game by 45 runs. The momentum shifted in Afghanistan’s favour towards the end of their innings when they slammed 52 off the last three overs. Samiullah Shenwari (36 off 18) and Shafiqullah Shafiq (24 off 8) finished off the proceedings with the bat strongly to fire Afghanistan to a competitive total. The bowlers then came out all guns blazing to bowl out Bangladesh for just 122.

Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to bowl first was not backed by his bowlers early on. They failed to get the early breakthrough but made up for it with a disciplined show. Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani added 62 runs for the first wicket. Skipper Asghar Stanikzai also played a handy knock of 25 but Bangladesh managed to keep things tight from their end before Shenwari and Shafiq undid all their good work.

In reply, Bangladesh were off to a disastrous start. Mujeeb Ur Rahman accounted for Tamim Iqbal on the very first ball of the innings. At the halfway stage of the innings, they were 80 for 3. The game was looking set to end in a thrilling manner before Rashid Khan came into the attack. On his first two balls, the leggie accounted for Mushfiqur Rahim and Sabbir Rahman to all but seal the visitors’ fate. Bangladesh never recovered from those setbacks and were eventually out for 122.

Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to react to the game.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:

Well played, Afghanistan ?? They’ll be a force in World T20 in 2020. Watch out ? #<!---->A<!---->F<!---->G<!---->v<!---->B<!---->A<!---->N

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Bangladesh getting their comeuppance against Afghanistan who are not just skilful but ambitious and entertaining too

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Afghanistan since getting Test status in June 2017….
in ODIs: Won 9, Lost 6
in T20Is: won 3, lost 0#<!---->A<!---->F<!---->G<!---->v<!---->B<!---->A<!---->N

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Rashid Khan in the 1st T20I against Bangladesh:

Finished his team's innings with a SIX on the last ball
Took two wickets off the first two balls he bowled
FInished the match with a diving catch#<!---->A<!---->F<!---->G<!---->v<!---->B<!---->A<!---->N

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Together Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi & Rashid Khan dismissed six of Bangladesh’s top seven batsmen in 11 overs & conceded just 54 runs at an economy rate of 4.90. With 12 overs of elite & varied spin to face, teams are going to find Afghanistan difficult to beat. #<!---->A<!---->f<!---->g<!---->v<!---->B<!---->a<!---->n

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Rashid Khan!!! 2 in 2??? ?
Lol this fellow Mushfiqur Rahim tries to reverse sweep him first ball & gets his stump knocked off! Dude he clean bowled the best of batsmen in the world this IPL!!
Behave!? #<!---->A<!---->F<!---->G<!---->v<!---->B<!---->A<!---->N

— Yash Kansara (@yashkkansara) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

You'd think by now some channel would buy the rights for just Rashid Khan's four overs#<!---->a<!---->f<!---->g<!---->v<!---->b<!---->a<!---->n

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

8 ball 24 by Shafiq…some serious hitting…and now, Afghanistan has enough to throw the cat amongst the pigeons. Should be fun to watch Rashid and Nabi. #<!---->A<!---->F<!---->G<!---->v<!---->B<!---->A<!---->N

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

A full house for a non-India game…Dehradun has done very well. The stadium looks awesome too….now, Afghanistan need to get a move on with the bat. Not enough of the board yet #<!---->A<!---->F<!---->G<!---->v<!---->B<!---->A<!---->N

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Tagged:

Rashid Khan

Twitter Lauds Afghanistan As They Beat Bangladesh In First T20I To Take Lead

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