Liton-Mushfiqur partnership ensure series win against Afghanistan

Another record partnership - this time 202 for the third wicket between Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim- helped Bangladesh win the second ODI of the three-match series against Afghanistan on Friday in Chattogram.

With the 88-run win, Bangladesh went to the top of the table of the World Cup Super League surpassing England. The Tigers now have 10 wins— one more than England of this event.

And with this win, also ensured a series win for the Tigers with one match to go on February 28 at the same venue. Liton scored his fifth ODI ton, while Mushfiqur scored 86.

Bangladesh batted first in this match and posted a big total of 306 for four wickets in 50 overs. In reply, Afghanistan tumbled for 218 all out in 45.1 overs.

The tourists lost three early wickets that prevented them from getting a good momentum while chasing a big target. Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran hit fifty each, but they failed to carry and in spite of being set in the middle, reports UNB.

Afghanistan’s biggest partnership came in the f0urth-wicket stand when Rahmat and Najibullah added 89 runs off 90 balls. The stand was broken by Taskin Ahmed. Rahmat’s dismissal opened the floodgate and the other Afghanistan batters failed to recover from there.

For Bangladesh, Taskin and Shakib Al Hasan bagged two wickets each while Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahmudullah Riyad and Afif Hossain bagged one wicket each.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first. Liton and Tamim Iqbal managed to have a cautious start, but they have parted away during the seventh over of the innings when Tamim fell prey to Fazalhaq Farooqi for 12 off 24 deliveries.

Shakib Al Hasan also backed early scoring 20 off 35 balls with two fours. And right after that, Liton and Mushfiqur added 202 runs off 186 balls in the third wicket stand.

Along the way, Liton hit his fifth ODI ton— first against Afghanistan— with 16 fours and two sixes. Mushfiqur was also on the verge of his second ODI ton in two years. But with needing 14 more runs to do that, Mushfiqur was dismissed by Fareed Ahmad.

Both Liton and Mushfiqur were scalped by Fareed off two consecutive deliveries in the 47th over.

After the ODI series, both teams will lock the horns in the two-match T20I series in Dhaka on March 3 and 5.