Bangladesh v Afghanistan: Cricket World Cup – as it happened
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http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/feb/18/bangladesh-v-afghanistan-cricket-world-cup-live Version 0 of 1. 11.02am GMT11:02 Well, that was too easy in the end… … And just a smidgeon disappointing. Afghanistan’s mostly sharp bowling performance restricted Bangladesh to a score that, initially, seemed beatable with fair wind and a few fair partnerships. But they were never really possible after a horrible rabbits-trapped-in-headlights start from the Afghan top order on the team’s World Cup debut. Shenwari and, especially, Nabi batted well but couldn’t kick on to effect the sort of surgery on the innings that was so required after that desperate start. Bangladesh were excellent in the field though, from the guile and accuracy of Mahmudullah and Shakib to the probing quicker stuff from the likes of Rubel and the captain Mortaza, who bowled extremely well for his 3-20. Mushfiqur has been given the man of the match award though, for his quickfire and crucial 71. Can they kick on from this? You never know, and never can tell, with Bangladesh, but they’ll be buoyed by this. Anyway, that’s me done. Thanks for your company, your emails and even – no, really - your jokes. Bye. Updated at 11.06am GMT 10.52am GMT10:52 Wicket! Shapoor run out 2, Afghanistan 162 all out, 42.5 overs. Bangladesh win by 105 runs The left-handed Shapoor pulls Shakib away for one on the legside. Alam wants to slog but he can’t when Shakib sends down a delicious little slower off-break. He gets luckier with the next slow one, taking a step and hammering it down the ground for a straight six. Nice. But then there’s a mix-up, Shapoor’s miles out of his crease and is run out. It’s all over Updated at 10.57am GMT 10.48am GMT10:48 Wicket! Hassan c Anamul b Taskin 0 42 overs: Afghanistan 155-9 (Alam 8, Shapoor 1), target 268. Taskin is back, mixing up his line and length, which is far too subtle for Hassan, whose attempts at slogging are not graceful. And not successful - he’s out caught, at extra cover after smacking it high and Anamul catches. His bat is also all taped up like the last spare one in a Sunday team’s kit-bag, though it’s for sponsor-obscuring reasons. Because if there’s one thing this tournament hates, it’s sponsors. Updated at 10.50am GMT 10.43am GMT10:43 Wicket! Mirwais c Sabbir b Shakir 10 41 overs: Afghanistan 154-8 (Alam 10), target 268. Five of Afghanistan’s wickets have fallen during powerplays, and therein lies the difference between the sides. Or one of them. Mirwais slog-sweeps Shakib for two. And then HITS A SIX, pulling a slightly shorter ball over Tamim Iqbal at the deep midwicket boundary for the first six of the innings. But then he gets too cocky, thumping a fuller-flighted ball from Shakib down the throat (not literally, that would be hideous) of Sabbir at long-off Updated at 10.54am GMT 10.39am GMT10:39 40 overs: Afghanistan 146-7 (Mirwais 2, Alam 8), target 268. The excellent Mortaza bowls his ninth over and Mirwais, who bowled well himself, recognises decent probing seam bowling when he sees it, and treats it all respectfully until he cracks a single to mid-on with a mistimed slog. Alam is then deceived by a slower ball and can only bunt it out to mid-off. One from the over - 122 needed off 60 balls. For what it’s worth. Updated at 10.40am GMT 10.35am GMT10:35 39 overs: Afghanistan 145-7 (Mirwais 1, Alam 8), target 268 Shakib continues, tight line and length, and the Afghan tail-enders can’t do anything with this – until Alam comes down the track and larrups it back over the bowler’s head for four. Updated at 10.37am GMT 10.31am GMT10:31 38 overs: Afghanistan 140-7 (Ashraf 0, Alam 4), target 268. Afghanistan’s last remaining hopes evaporate as Nabi slogs Mortaza down the ground and is caught. The new man in Aftab Alam manages to elude fielders with a similar thump to get off the mark with a four. Mortaza responds with two short balls that Alam gets nowhere near. One scoring shot off the over is, of course, nowhere near enough. 10.27am GMT10:27 37 overs: Afghanistan 136-6 (Nabi 40), target 268. Nabi takes two off the first ball from Shakib with a legside pull, and nudges a single next ball. Najibullah also adds one with a firm sweep. Nabi knows he’s got to get a wriggle on and hurries through for a single. But Najibullah is then trapped in front and given out after a review. 10.27am GMT10:27 Wicket! Nabi c Sarkar b Mortaza 40, Afghanistan 136-7 The captain holes out, and it’s all over now Updated at 10.51am GMT 10.24am GMT10:24 Wicket! Najibullah lbw b Shakir 16 Was it outside the line? It’s a tight call, but it was turning sharply in and hitting middle and it stays with umpire’s call. A handy partnership is cut short just when it looked like it was beginning to start motoring. Updated at 10.38am GMT 10.20am GMT10:20 36 overs: Afghanistan 131-5 (Nabi 40, Najibullah 16), target 268. Afghanistan call a powerplay. They need to do something miraculous with it, and it’s captain v captain, as Hayden points out, with Mortaza back in the attack having taken 2-10 from his previous six overs. He’s more expensive with this one though, as Nabi uses his feet, makes space and lofts him high on the offside over the field for four. One more puts the less expansive Najibullah on strike for the last ball, which he can only prod away. Five from the over – 137 needed off 84 balls. Updated at 10.22am GMT 10.15am GMT10:15 35 overs: Afghanistan 126-5 (Nabi 35, Najibullah 16), target 268. Nabi is becoming more assertive and he takes consecutive boundaries, thwacking Rubel to the long-on boundary for four before punishing a stray ball down the legside with a neat glance to help it to the fence. He adds a single to put the left-hander Najibullah on strike for the last two balls. He tries to slog the first but inside edges it straight into the ground and is turned back by his captain after calling for a single off the next one. Re jokes: there is, I fear, more: Updated at 10.16am GMT 10.07am GMT10:07 34 overs: Afghanistan 117-5 (Nabi 26, Najibullah 16), target 268. The experienced left-arm spinner Shakib is back on to bowl his fifth over. He finds a small amount of turn and drift, but it’s his accuracy that ties down the Afghan batsmen. But Nabi is prepared to take him on, and produces an exquisite sweep shot down to fine leg for four. It’s too late, really, but he’s looking a technically accomplished batsmen. Seven from the over. And that’s drinks. Updated at 10.11am GMT 10.02am GMT10:02 33 overs: Afghanistan 110-5 (Nabi 20, Najibullah 15), target 268. Rubel, having recovered from his athletic catch, returns to the attack. Nabi takes two from the first ball of the over, plus another single with a hefty pull on the onside. Najibullah milks another two, as these two begin to look at least settled if not threatening. “Maybe,” wonders 17th-over gagsmith Michael Chilcott, “I spend most of my life anticipating a drumroll in my head! is that sad?” Not really no, I thought everybody did, to be honest. 9.59am GMT09:59 32 overs: Afghanistan 105-5 (Nabi 17, Najibullah 13), target 268. Sarkar continues, bowling a good full length, and Nabi plays an elegant on-drive but only for one. Good Proper Cricket shots won’t save them here. Najibullah plays another one, flicking a wide delivery outside leg stump away for a single. Nabi then takes a bit of a risk with a mistimed legside pull from the only short ball of the over but it falls short of any fielders. Attendance: 10,972, not far short of capacity. Have that ICC. 9.55am GMT09:55 31 overs: Afghanistan 102-5 (Nabi 15, Najibullah 12), target 268. A word of appreciation for the Adelaide-esque old-school scoreboard in Canberra - an “artisan rustic scoreboard” if you will, if you were inclined towards profoundly irritating marketingspeak – but it hasn’t ticked over much in the last couple of hours. Najibullah and Nabi nonetheless manage to push and flick some ones and twos off this over from Mahmudullah, which yields six. 9.51am GMT09:51 30 overs: Afghanistan 96-5 (Nabi 11, Najibullah 10), target 268. Sarkar is swiftly returned to the attack, replacing Sabbir, and a suffocating tightness returns: four dot balls in a row as Najibullah just can’t find the gaps until he turns one round the corner for a single. Nabi then swings and misses. 9.49am GMT09:49 29 overs: Afghanistan 95-5 (Nabi 11, Najibullah 9), target 268 What a shame Afghanistan’s batting hasn’t matched their performance in the field, but Bangladesh’s superiority is overwhelming, and Mahmudullah’s control here typifies it. He yields a relatively expensive six from the over though, embellished by a fine rollicking cut shot from Nabi for four off the last ball. Updated at 9.49am GMT 9.44am GMT09:44 28 overs: Afghanistan 89-5 (Nabi 6, Najibullah 8), target 268 The leg-spinner Sabbir Rahman comes into the attack for the first time, and his first ball is a shocker, a rank long-hop pulled for one by Najibullah. Afghanistan can’t make the most of poor bowling though, and only get ones and a two. Four from the over isn’t enough. Updated at 9.49am GMT 9.41am GMT09:41 27 overs Afghanistan 85-5 (Nabi 5, Najibullah 5) Mahmudullah delivers his sixth over. He comes round the wicket at the left-handed Najibullah, and has six fielders in, but concedes a rare boundary to a well-timed textbook sweep. Updated at 9.43am GMT 9.37am GMT09:37 26 overs Afghanistan 78-5 (Nabi 4, Najibullah 0) Zadran looks uncomfortable as he plays out two dot balls on his arrival at the crease. Updated at 9.40am GMT 9.35am GMT09:35 Wicket! Shenwari run out 42, Afghanistan 78-5 25.4 overs: Afghanistan 78-5 (Nabi 4), target 268. A four for the first time in 10 overs – Shenwari sending a fierce on-drive to the long boundary as he tries to attack Taskin. But then the danger man is run out, as Shenwari fails to make it home returning for a second as the keeper Mushfiqur breaks the stumps following a fine throw from Rahman. And it’s given out on review. Game over now surely. Updated at 10.18am GMT 9.31am GMT09:31 25 overs: Afghanistan 73-4 (Shenwari 37, Nabi 4), target 268. Mahmudullah, who’s been wicketless but integral to maintaing Bangladesh’s total control here, continues. He concedes singles, and though he’s not getting much turn, the accuracy is excellent. So even attempted slogs – such as Shenwari’s sweep to square leg – can’t properly be wellied. Fine stuff. We’re halfway there, with a mere 195 needed off 25. 9.28am GMT09:28 24 overs: Afghanistan 69-4 (Shenwari 35, Nabi 2), target 268. The Afghanistan captain is in now, and he’s got a leadership job and a half to do now. It’s almost certainly beyond him. A fair old racket is now being drummed up by the Bangladesh fans who make up the majority of this crowd. Taskin comes back into the attack, and is mistimed-pulled for one by Shenwari. Nabi is off the mark with a back-foot punch – there’s been a lot of those in this innings, too many probably – and Shenwari adds three more from two balls with the same sort of shot before Nabi hoiks in the air on the legside for another rather ugly single. 9.22am GMT09:22 23 overs: Afghanistan 65-4 (Shenwari 33, Nabi 0), target 268. What a long partnership this is turning into, but it’s not going anywhere. Shenwari pulls Mahmudullah away on the legside but only for one. Mangal knows he has to try to hit out – and pays the price, a fierce pull shot square on the leg side flying high and fast to the boundary only for a retreating Rubel to pluck it out of the air with some panache. Excellent catch. Updated at 9.25am GMT 9.20am GMT09:20 Wicket! Mangal c b Mahmudullah 27, Afghanistan 65-4 Mangal hits out at last but is brilliantly taken in the deep by Rubel Updated at 10.34am GMT 9.18am GMT09:18 22 overs: Afghanistan 64-3 (Mangal 27, Shenwari 32), target 268. Sarkar’s Shakib is back in the attack, the Sarkar experiment having been deemed unsuccessful. He approaches the crease from quite a wide angle but is nice and tight. Shenwari cracks one to extra cover for one. And cracks no other deliveries for anything. Only one from the over. 9.16am GMT09:16 21 overs: Afghanistan 63-3 (Mangal 27, Shenwari 31), target 268. The batsmen conferred at length before this over, probably about the need to up the run rate, and it prompts them to take a risky single but Shenwari scuttles through, benefiting from a slightly wayward throw. Mahmudullah is tying them down expertly here. One from the over, and any gain or uplift in Afghan mood from that previous profligate over quickly evaporates. 9.13am GMT09:13 20 overs: Afghanistan 62-3 (Mangal 27, Shenwari 31), target 268. Sarkar’s medium pace is brought into the attack and in the context of this innings it’s a very expensive over. A pushed one and a two keep the scoreboard ticking over, before there’s a review off a run-out attempt as they run another, but Shenwari’s in comfortably. Mangal is looking more composed now, and demonstrates it with a nice cover drive off a fuller delivery but there’s only one run in it for him. Shenwari rounds off the over by cutting for two then adding a single. Nine from the over. Better. Updated at 9.13am GMT 9.08am GMT09:08 19 overs: Afghanistan 53-3 (Mangal 22, Shenwari 27), target 268. Bangladesh’s bowlers have been controlled and disciplined throughout here, and though Afghanistan look a little more comfortable against the spinners, Mahmudullah keeps it nice and tight, only conceding singles and generally tucking the batsmen up. There’s no space for them to open their shoulders, and a possibly-frustrated Mangal tries a swipey sweepy sort of shot on the legside which, mercifully for him, he connects with it and helps it down to deep square leg for two. Updated at 10.32am GMT 9.05am GMT09:05 18 overs: Afghanistan 50-3 (Mangal 20, Shenwari 26), target 268. Tight and tidy from Shakib, and they can’t get any more than two from it. Graham Read wants to know whether 267 is a par score on this pitch. Normally, I’d say not quite but I don’t think this match is going to give us a chance to find out. He also asks if we can “give a shout out to Krakow Cricket Club, who’ll be playing in the Polish cup in Warsaw in June”. Which we can. “Standard is surprisingly good and we always get murdered,” he, er, promises. Updated at 9.08am GMT 9.03am GMT09:03 17 overs: Afghanistan 48-3 (Mangal 20, Shenwari 24), target 268. Having settled on a pacy but mostly true pitch, these two need to find a way to crack on now. There’s a lovely sunset in Canberra anyhow, as the right-arm spinner Mahmadullah comes into the attack for the first time. Shenwari pushes a single to mid-on, Mangal is slightly bamboozled by the spin but still gingerly chips to mid-on for one. Four from the over, which isn’t enough. “Jokes” latest: “Maybe,” chirps Michael Chilcott, anticipating a drumroll in his head “...emails about this game are taking a while to get through Khyber space?” 8.56am GMT08:56 16 overs: Afghanistan 44-3 (Mangal 18, Shenwari 22), target 268. Shakib gets a bit more control this over, and Shenwari can’t avoid fielders until the fourth ball, which he pushes down the ground for a single. And it’s time for a drinks break. 8.53am GMT08:53 15 overs: Afghanistan 42-3 (Mangal 18, Shenwari 21), target 268. Shenwari pushes Taskin through the off for a single, and then – praise be – we see a confident ODI shot from Mangal, who clobbers a shortish one to the long-on boundary for four. And then a drop! Mangal, perhaps getting cocky, upper cuts too high and too late and it balloons up towards third man; the fielder gets under it, takes it – and then grasses it on the dive. Updated at 8.56am GMT 8.49am GMT08:49 14 overs: Afghanistan 35-3 (Mangal 11, Shenwari 20), target 268. We have spin for the first time as the left-armer Shakib, who has already made what looks a pretty decisive impact in this match, replaces the captain Mortaza. It gives Mangal a chance to try a different shot, as he gingerly scoops over the keeper for two. There are other singles and six off the over in total, which feels like a massive improvement. No emails for a while. Tell us a better joke, someone. Updated at 8.49am GMT 8.45am GMT08:45 13 overs: Afghanistan 29-3 (Mangal 6, Shenwari 19), target 268. Taskin continues, and Bangladesh fortify their offside field. Mangal drives through it, down to deep extra cover-ish, for one. The bowler’s pace continues to trouble Afghanistan, and he makes Shenwari duck into a short one that flies off the toe of his bat and up in the air, and is almost caught by the diving keeper Mushfiqur. Mangal cracks another single past backward point. Almost all their scoring shots are off the back foot. 8.41am GMT08:41 12 overs: Afghanistan 25-3 (Mangal 4, Shenwari 17), target 268. Mortaza continues, and is still right on the money and a maiden as Shenwari struggles to find space to up the pace. It’d be the start of a resilient Test partnership, this, or 1979 World Cup final partnership, but it’s not causing Bangladesh any consternation whatsoever. Worst reader joke of any OBO ever to follow: 8.36am GMT08:36 11 overs: Afghanistan 25-3 (Mangal 4, Shenwari 17), target 268. Taskin is digging the odd one in short, and hitting the deck hard, and Shenwari can’t do anything other than defend for the most part. He manages to deftly hoik a short one away square on the offside for one, but there’s only one from the over. 8.32am GMT08:32 10 overs: Afghanistan 24-3 (Mangal 5, Shenwari 15), target 268. Mortaza is on at the other end now – and concedes the first four! Hang out the bunting. It’s a pleasingly lusty crack through the covers to the boundary from Shenwari, who looks much the more assured of the two batsmen out there. He adds another single with a drive to mid-off, and Mangal manages a single with a back-foot punch through the offside. End of the powerplay – will that actually suit Afghanistan? More singles to push and nurdle, and boost their confidence a little? 8.27am GMT08:27 9 overs: Afghanistan 19-3 (Mangal 4, Shenwari 11), target 268. We have our first bowling change, the captain Mortaza replacing himself with Taskin Ahmed, who has a slightly eccentric wobbly run-up but he can work up some pace. Shenwari gets a single to mid-on as Mangal, running from the non-striker’s end, is in in time to survive an accurate shy at the stumps. But Mangal’s having a torrid time in general against pace and swing in the early-evening air, and can’t manage to add to his score. 8.22am GMT08:22 8 overs: Afghanistan 18-3 (Mangal 4, Shenwari 10), target 268. More probing from Mortaza, more ginger leaving and defensive stuff from Mangal. He ekes out one from a low cut past gully. Some respite comes in the form of a wide called following a zesty bouncer, but neither of these batsmen are getting on the front foot. Shenwari does play a nicely placed push through the offside for two though, which possibly gives him the confidence to open his shoulders a little and crack the final ball of the over into the air beyond gully for one more. 8.17am GMT08:17 7 overs: Afghanistan 13-3 (Mangal 3, Shenwari 7), target 268. Mortaza continues, again making Mangal look discomfited with one that jags off the seam and the batsman misses, and another that keeps low and that Mangal can’t get anywhere near. The only one he hits with any force is edged wide of slip for one. Bangladesh’s total now looks less “working man” and more landed gentry, and Afghanistan are tugging their forelocks and saying “not for the likes of us”. Updated at 8.18am GMT 8.14am GMT08:14 6 overs: Afghanistan 12-3 (Mangal 2, Shenwari 7) (target 268). Rubel is offering an aesthetically pleasing spell of confident seam bowling, and is mixing it up too, making Shenwari duck under a short one. Shenwari gets two from a push through a half-asleep field square on the offside first up, and two more off the last ball of the over with a neat flick through midwicket. Updated at 8.17am GMT 8.09am GMT08:09 5 overs: Afghanistan 8-3 (Mangal 2, Shenwari 3) Bangladesh’s seamers are doing a good job here, it must be said - good, solid corridor-of-uncertainty probing stuff. Mortaza is worked away on the offside for one off his third ball by Mangal and Shenwari gets another single, but there hasn’t really been an expansive Afghanistan shot yet - all nudges and pushes. They look incredibly anxious. 8.06am GMT08:06 4 overs: Afghanistan 6-3 (Mangal 1, Shenwari 2) Rubel has a big shout for lbw (or a nick behind) first off as Mangal essays an ugly attempt to pull the unpullable to midwicket, but it’s probably too high and not out. Mangal, who looks horribly uncomfortable, then pushes what feels like a psychologically important single through the offside. Shenwari shapes to push limply at his first ball but pulls his bat back at the last second, and manages a more comfortable two through the legside next ball. Updated at 8.06am GMT 8.01am GMT08:01 Wicket! Stanikzai c Mahmudullah b Mortaza 1 Afghanistan 3-3 3 overs: Afghanistan 3-3 (Mangal 0). Afghanistan need to get through an over without losing a wicket first off, but they can’t manage it. Bangladesh’s field is brought right in for Mortaza and we have a row of dots. Staniksai plays it like a Test opener on a grey day at Headingley and edges the last ball of the over to slip and it’s taken low and comfortably. Updated at 8.03am GMT 7.57am GMT07:57 2 overs: Afghanistan 3-2 (Mangal 0, Stanigzai 1). Perfect start for Rubel then as he pins Zazai in front with his first ball, and the newcomers are in all sorts of bother. New man in Asghar Stanigzai edges his first delivery low through fumbling slips for one. But Nawroz Mangal can only play out the over in defensive mode. Updated at 7.57am GMT 7.53am GMT07:53 Wicket! Zazai lbw b Rubel 1. Afghanistan 2-2 Oh dear. Zazai misses a purposeful accurate delivery that was clipping the top of off. Updated at 7.53am GMT 7.51am GMT07:51 Wicket! Ahmadi c & b Mortaza 1 1 over: Afghanistan 2-1 Off we go then. They’re off the mark straightaway as Ahmadi cuts Mashrafe Mortaza past backward point for one. Zazai plays and misses rather sloppily at a wide one outside off stump, then edges a single down to third man. Then wicket! Ahmadi is caught off guard by a short quick one that nips into him and he can only fend it up in the air for the bowler to take an easy return catch First email, from Sree: “Afghanistan bowled really well. Country with less facilities and more disturbance of explosions and war. For the future and development of cricket as a sport, ICC should come up with some reward for such outstanding performance. More matches and tournaments should be held, so that they also can improve.” Too true. Alas, the ICC don’t see things that way. 7.41am GMT07:41 Morning everyone. Well, we could have a proper match on our hands here after Afghanistan’s slightly surprising late revival in that Bangladesh innings, reward for a pace attack that, when it maintains control, can look potent and handy. At one point it looked like Afghanistan were demonstrating just why they’re regarded as a decent Twenty20 team, getting all their decent bowling in during the first 20 overs before losing their way as Mushfiqur and Shakib attacked with brio. But they came back well to restrict Bangladesh to what Matty Hayden would call a sturdy “working man’s total” of around 260. But how sturdy is it in these insecure zero-hours-contract days? Perhaps it’s more a “precariat” total, though well ahead of the paltry “Neets” total Scotland managed yesterday, but still short of the comfortable bourgeouise sunlit uplands of a 300+ score generally regarded as par these days. Anyway, the teams will be back out soon. 7.24am GMT07:24 Some really excellent performances there - Afghanistan bowled superbly, and save a spell just before the death, were never entirely bereft of control. They could have fielded and reviewed better, and perhaps risked giving their strike bowlers a couple of overs when they were on top - but then who knows what might have been wrought upon them at the death. For Bangladesh, the partnership between Shakib and Mushfiqur was the work of experts, but they’ll regret not ensuring that at least one of them batted through. We, on the other hand, can, as a consequence, enjoy, a contest, that, gives, Afghanistan, a decent chance, of success. Thanks all for your company - here’s Bradley Walsh Tom Davies to talk you through the chase. 7.19am GMT07:19 Bangladesh set Afghanistan 268 to win. Well that was fun. 7.17am GMT07:17 WICKET! Taksin Ahmed b Aftab Alam 1 (Bangladesh 267 all out) Taksin makes room, misses, Aftab is straight and full, Taksin is gone. Updated at 7.18am GMT 7.17am GMT07:17 50th over: Bangladesh 267-9 (Hossain 0, Ahmed 1) Ahmed shmuchels a single to cover, then Hossain misses, sets off, Zazai shies, misses, and urges his captain to review for the caught behind - he doesn’t even though there are only three balls left. But it wasn’t out, shows Snicko - the noise was bat brushing pad. Then two more byes, and! 7.14am GMT07:14 WICKET! Mortaza b Aftab Alam 14 (Bangladesh 263-9) Mortaza makes room backing away to leg, but his too slow on the shot and is bowled. Updated at 7.14am GMT 7.13am GMT07:13 49th over: Bangladesh 263-8 (Mortaza 14, Hossain 0 ) 7.11am GMT07:11 WICKET! Mominul Haque run out 3 (Bangladesh 263-8) Mortaza’s slog misses thanks to Hamid’s slower ball, he drags Haque through for a single to keep the strike, but Zazai, who’s kept superbly, hits the stumps with his underarmer. Updated at 7.12am GMT 7.11am GMT07:11 49th over: Bangladesh 263-7 (Mortaza 14, Haque 3) After a run out scare - Mominul hits to cover, takes one for the misfield, and is saved by a less than accurate throw - Mortaza slams four through cover. Great shot. 7.07am GMT07:07 48th over: Bangladesh 256-7 (Mortaza 10, Haque 1) Excellent recovery from Mortaza, lumping over cover for four and then crunching through point. 14 off the over, despite the wicket. Updated at 7.10am GMT 7.05am GMT07:05 WICKET! Mushfiqur c Shenwari b Nabi 71 (Bangladesh 247-7) (Partial) Redemption for Shenwari. Nabi’s ball bounces more than Mushfiqur anticipated, and he holes out - but this is a really good catch, Shenwari haring in from the midwicket fence to snaffle it low. Great innings, though. Updated at 7.10am GMT 7.04am GMT07:04 47th over: Bangladesh 242-6 (Mushfiqur 67, Mortaza 1) Mortaza off the mark straight away. 7.02am GMT07:02 WICKET! Sabbir b Hamid Hassan 3 (Bangladesh 241-6) Fast bowlers of the world united! You have nothing to lose but your equilibrium! Hamid goes wide again, jags it in, Sabbir goes for the heave, misses, and chops on. Hamid enjoys this, doing the chainsaw. Updated at 7.03am GMT 7.01am GMT07:01 47th over: Bangladesh 241-5 (Mushfiqur 67, Sabbir 3) This is good from Afghanistan again, limiting the boundaries. Three balls, three singles - real vanguard bowling, this, proper fully conscious stuff. And! Updated at 7.01am GMT 6.59am GMT06:59 46th over: Bangladesh 238-5 (Mushfiqur 65, Sabbir 2) Nabi concedes three singles as Hyden tells us “300 trips off the tongue too easily” and that 260 is a “working man’s total”. And that’s the problem with capitalism, essentially - these bourgeois 300+ totals, that contain within themselves the seeds of their own destruction. 6.56am GMT06:56 45th over: Bangladesh 233-5 (Mushfiqur 62, Sabbir 0) So, Hamid gets the wicket his rambo deserves. If Afghanistan can limit Bangladesh to eight an over, they’re just about in this. Updated at 6.56am GMT 6.53am GMT06:53 WICKET! Shakib Al Hasan b Hamid Hassan 63 (Bangladesh 233-5) Shakib goes for another humungous shot, looking over midwicket again, but he’s through it before the ball’s arrived, inside-edging onto the stumps instead. There’s a short delay while the umpires check for a no-ball - the delivery came from very wide of the crease - but it’s good. Updated at 6.54am GMT 6.52am GMT06:52 45th over: Bangladesh 233-4 (Shakib 63, Mushfiqur 62) Hamid tries a yorker, but instead serves up a shin-high full-toss clumped past mid -off by Shaki for four. And he’s right into the next ball too, welting a top-edged pull over midwicket for six - and, perhaps, that’s the crux of the bats debate - should you be able to clear the fence when you don’t connect with the meet? 6.50am GMT06:50 44th over: Bangladesh 223-4 (Shakib 53, Mushfiqur 62) Nabi to continue, and he’ll not mind three singles from the first three balls. Then Shakib makes room to loft over mid off, but still only gets one - but then Mushfiqur backs away to leg, making time to pick his spot, stroking four to the point fence. And two more off the final ball make this another handy over for Bangladesh - this is excellent batting, and being loudly appreciated as such by the Bangladeshi contingent in the crowd. Updated at 6.50am GMT 6.46am GMT06:46 43rd over: Bangladesh 213-4 (Shakib 51, Mushfiqur 54) And there’s Shakib’s fifty, achieved via single from the bowling of Hamid. Next ball, Mushfiqur tries ramping and he moves off-side, misses, but manages to keep his inside edge out of the road. Next ball, he edges a single, then Shakib drives one, before Mushfiqur is stopped by a yorker - perhaps Hamid ought to try a few more of them. 6.42am GMT06:42 42nd over: Bangladesh 209-4 (Shakib 49, Mushfiqur 52) It’s beginning to look like a a target of around 300, as we see that Mushfiqur would’ve been out on review - the second such nauseation for Afghanistan. After Shakib takes Nabi for a single, Mushfiqur drives for two down to long-off - that’s his fifty. and what a good one it’s been. Oh, and another miserable misfield - bit of metaphorical loop’d and window’d raggedness being perpetrated here. Still, a better over. Updated at 6.42am GMT 6.38am GMT06:38 41st over: Bangladesh 204-4 (Shakib 47, Mushfiqur 49) Chcolate bantz in the commentary box - oh, this is just like TMS, it’s so adorable, ephemeral, natural and eclectic. Mushfiqur dabs a single down to third man and Shakib does likewise, before Aftab hits the pad, round about the kneeroll. There’s an appeal, but also bat involved - the question is which was first -the umpire says not out, and Afghanistan choose not to review. Then, Mushfiqur picks up Aftab’s length incredibly quickly flowing into it and timing a six over midwicket with what looks like minimum effort and force. 6.33am GMT06:33 40th over: Bangladesh 194-4 (Shakib 46, Mushfiqur 40) The running between the wickets in this partnership does not speak well of what’s preceded it. Shakib drives to long off for two, run hard, then another single give Mushfiqur a go. In the early part of the innings, Afghanistan managed a wicket every time Bangladesh ensconced, but they’ve scarcely hinted at one since these two came together. Shakib, back on strike after a single, lofts down the ground for a couple, and Afghanistan care struggling to find dots now. 48-0 from the powerplay. Updated at 6.35am GMT 6.29am GMT06:29 39th over: Bangladesh 186-4 (Shakib 39, Mushfiqur 39) Shakib toes a yorker to Zadran and sets off - he wants Mushfiqur to have as much of the strike as possible, because he’s not timing it anywhere neat as well. He’s gone if it hits, but it misses - and, in general, if there’s one criticism of Afghanistan, it’s the consistency of the fielding. Then, back on strike, Shakib stands, waits, and clatters Aftab back past him for four. Oh dear, then a slow, wide, full toss - and Shakib is having no such thing, shmicing it between point and cover for four. Another good over for Bangladesh, eleven from it. Updated at 6.29am GMT 6.24am GMT06:24 38th over: Bangladesh 175-4 (Shakib 28, Mushfiqur 38) Mushfiqur goes t0 ramp one - and I’m not even ramping - but ends up bottom edging it to midwicket for a single. Then, Shakib raises the fifty partnership with a cover-drive for three, before Mushfiqur slams four through cover - lovely shot. Another good over for Bangladesh, amnd how well these two have batted and are batting. Updated at 6.56am GMT 6.21am GMT06:21 37th over: Bangladesh 165-4 (Shakib 25, Mushfiqur 32) Mushfiqur drives two to long-on, then goes for a big shot over the leg-side infield. He doesn’t get all of it, but the ball drops safe and they sprint two more. A single then brings They Call Him Shakiiieeb onto strike - he pushes into the off-side, they begin a single, they turn back, the ball’s not even fielded cleanly, but then he makes up for it by clipping one off his toes for four - the first Bangladeshi to 4000 runs. Afghanistan need to re-reassert control. 6.14am GMT06:14 36th over: Bangladesh 156-4 (Shakib 21, Mushfiqur 26) Bangladesh take the powerplay - and PA man misses a trick by not drawing upon his Smash Hits Party 1990 in order to locate Snap! Американская фирма Transceptor Technology, приступила к производству компьютеров, Персональный спутник. Anyway, Hamid Hasan comes back and Shakib is nearly bowled, instead imparting outside d’edge to his attempted cover drive, and adding three. Then, Mushfiqur charges, Hamid drops short, Mushfiqur ramps him instead - that’s lovely. And, next ball, he clouts over midwicket for four - very nice. 6.09am GMT06:09 35th over: Bangladesh 146-4 (Shakib 18, Mushfiqur 20) Ahmadi offers Mushfiqur width, but with barely any protection on the off side, he cuts straight to point. Then, he slog-sweeps two to midwicket, and next ball, makes room by retreating to leg, walloping over cover fo fo. Better from Bangladesh. Updated at 6.09am GMT 6.06am GMT06:06 34th over: Bangladesh 138-4 (Shakib 17, Mushfiqur 13) Aftab Alam begins yet another spell, this time with a wide, and then Mushfiqur cuts him away for one. And Bangladesh still cannae find the big shots, bunting singles an dat - but it now seems inconceivable that they won’t set a gettable target. Alam then sends down another wide, but responds well, a lovely yorker right outside off cramping Shakib, who tries a pull off the final delivery but can only divert it into his thigh pad. 6.02am GMT06:02 33rd over: Bangladesh 133-4 (Shakib 16, Mushfiqur 13) Shakib flips Shenwari down to mid off for a single, then, next ball - well, actually the previous one too - he wanders down the pitch, and is forcibly removed form the attack, the poor love. Javed Ahmadi takes over, and Mushfiqur goes for a big shot over midwicket, but gets only one, while Cricinfo points out that Mohammad Irfan was given two warnings prior to not being made to stop bowling. And the Canberra jukebox man has a sense of humour, because this is what he’s playing. 5.54am GMT05:54 32nd over: Bangladesh 129-4 (Shakib 13, Mushfiqur 9) Imagine if umpires could issue warnings for any infraction. “Sorry, Shapoor, but that mane is simply too majestic and distracting.” He begins his seventh over with three dots, but then Mushfiqur waits for one outside off, opening the face and creaming it to the fence at backward point. Then, next ball, he sways and jabs an uppercut - a lead uppercut? - I don’t know - through first slip and down to third man. Drinks, a-drinks, a-drinks. 5.49am GMT05:49 31st over: Bangladesh 123-4 (Shakib 13, Mushfiqur 4) It’s the leg-spin of Shenwari, and he’s into rhythm right away - or, rather, varying pace and line to the befuddlement of the batsman. Just one off the over, but at the end of it, Shenwari is officially warned for running on the pitch. Updated at 5.50am GMT 5.45am GMT05:45 30th over: Bangladesh 122-4 (Shakib 13, Mushfiqur 3) Mushfiqur glances his third ball towards midwicket and they run two, as the commentary box tells us how professional Afghanistan are - which, these days, I actually think we can expect, not be surprised by. “SHAPOOR. SHAPOOR. SHAPOOR IS ON FIYAH. Y’all can put that to music if you want,” tweets Chris Deeley. “Don’t mess with the Zadran,” retorts Ravi Nair. Sha-la-la-la-la Shapoor. Updated at 5.46am GMT 5.40am GMT05:40 WICKET! Mahmudullah c Zazai b Shapoor Zadran 23 (Bangladesh 119-4) This might just be the decisive spell of the match! Shapoor’s extra bounce is too much for Mahmudullah, who pushes pointlessly, edges, and Zazai takes another excellent catch. Updated at 5.41am GMT 5.39am GMT05:39 29th over: Bangladesh 119-3 (Mahmudullah 23, Shakib 13) Ahmadi continues, and after three come from his first three deliveries, Mahmudullah top-edges a sweep - but the ball drops safe. Then, they dash through for a single - a direct hit and they’re in trouble - before Shakib spots a friendly long hop, stepping to leg and reaching outside off to cart it over midwicket for four. 5.36am GMT05:36 28th over: Bangladesh 111-3 (Mahmudullah 22, Shakib 6) You can vote for which team you think Afghanistan will won their first game against; good old ICC. My hooks are thoroughly tentered. Another good start to the over from Shapoor - a full, straight one that rattles Mahmudullah’s pad has him appealing, but it’s missing the stumps. Mumudullah then misses one outside off, in the end, relieved not to edge, before nudging a single to leg. Shakib, who’s scored off every ball he’s faced, retorts immediately, as there’s minor kerfuffle about how many men are behind square on the off-side, and that’s another tight over gone - Bangladesh could handle a little less soporificism, or soporificity, or whatever. 5.30am GMT05:30 27th over: Bangladesh 109-3 (Mahmudullah 21, Shakib 5) Ahmadi is back, but from the other end, and after three dots, Mahmudullah works down to long on, Shakib makes room to shove into the covers, and Mahmudullah nurdles down to square-leg. 5.27am GMT05:27 26th over: Bangladesh 106-3 (Mahmudullah 19, Shakib 4) Shapoor flings a dart on the pads, and first ball or no, Shakib isn’t missing out, flicking hard to the fine leg fence. Meanwhile, we see that the ball was hitting the stumps, nor was there an edge. 5.24am GMT05:24 WICKET! Sarkar lbw b Shapoor Zadran 28 (Bangladesh 102 -3) And there it is, control right there. Sarkar goes to heave, misses, takes it on the pad and can’t review - he thinks he’s got a touch - because his pal Biljoy rinses the review earlier. Updated at 5.26am GMT 5.24am GMT05:24 26th over: Bangladesh 102-2 (Sarkar 28, Mahmudullah 19) Zadran comes back, going around the wicket to Mahmudullah - can he re-establish control? Three dots say aye, and then the fifty partnership is raised with one turned away to wide fine leg... 5.20am GMT05:20 25th over: Bangladesh 101-2 (Sarkar 28, Mahmudullah 18) And in comes the one like Mirwais again, allowing a single to Mahmudullah. And then, spotting a chance, Sarkar dances down the track with two skips, paggaing him over long-on for six - he got right under that. And it’s about time, too. Afghanistan could do with breaking this partnership, and when Mahmudullah drives into the covers, Hamid tries to slide tackle it - they run three - and then four more to Sirkar means that Mirwais, who ceded 17 from his first 8 overs has gone for 15 from his ninth. 5.14am GMT05:14 24th over: Bangladesh 86-2 (Sarkar 17, Mahmudullah 14) Javed Ahmadi on for Nabi, and the left-handed Sarkar sees this coming, stepping away when it’s short and torquing his torso through it, sending it down to the midwicket rope. Sarkar then adds a single, and Mahmudullah does too - he’s well in when the ball hits direct, they run an overthrow, and the umpire decides to check, even though he’s staring right at the batsman in his crease as the stumps break. Good over for Bangladesh, ten from it. 5.10am GMT05:10 23rd over: Bangladesh 76-2 (Sarkar 11, Mahmudullah 10) Perhaps Mirwais’ predictable length length is a weakness later in the innings, because he’s now bowling his eighth over in a row. And it’s looking a good decision, because he offers four dots to begin with before Mahmudullah opens the face and sets off, only to be ushered straight back amidst minor panic. And that’s a maiden, Mirwais’ third. 5.07am GMT05:07 22nd over: Bangladesh 76-2 (Sarkar 11, Mahmudullah 10) Nabi returns, and finds his line immediately, cramping the batsmen by bowling very straight. Sarkar nurdles a single to leg, and then Mahmudullah drives to long-on. Both batsmen find another single to make four off the over - at the current rate, they’ll make 173, at six an over, an eminently getable 244. But Bangladesh have enough batting to up the pace, even if they consolidate for another five overs. 5.02am GMT05:02 21st over: Bangladesh 72-2 (Sarkar 9, Mahmudullah 8) Mirwais beats Mahmudullah, who tries turning him to leg side from around his pad, but misses; they run a leg-bye. I fancy this might be the final over of Mirwais’ spell because they’re starting to work him, Sarkar running one down to third man, then a wide, then two tucked off the toes. 4.59am GMT04:59 20th over: Bangladesh 67-2 (Sarkar 8, Mahmudullah 6) What’s been impressive about this bowling display so far is how well the back-up bowlers have done - the two openers have relative reputations, but the three we’ve seen since have been excellent. Sarkar pushes to point and runs, then Mahmudullah does the same to mid-on, followed by Sarkar; this pleases Matthew Hayden, who, shockingly, thinks they need to be more aggressive in their hitting and strike ROtation. And the increased pressure brings about an error, Mahmadullah flicking to midwicket and Nabi misfielding, turning two into three. Updated at 4.59am GMT 4.54am GMT04:54 19th over: Bangladesh 61-2 (Sarkar 6, Mahmudullah 2) More excellence from Mirwais - he’s giving Sarkar no room to free his arms, and so far, he’s not deft enough to work the ball away. But then, Mirwais strays a little straight and Sarkar loses patience, clubbing him away through midwicket for four - that’s the kind of positive attitude Bangladesh need, because they’ve become bogged down here. 4.49am GMT04:49 18th over: Bangladesh 56-2 (Sarkar 1, Mahmudullah 2) Aftab Alam returns - whether to sneak through a couple, or press home the advantage I’m not sure. The former, I’d guess. Sarkar opens his account with a drive to third man, and a high bouncer cedes a wide, the only runs from another extremely presentable over. 4.46am GMT04:46 17th over: Bangladesh 54-2 (Sarkar 0, Mahmudullah 2) Mahmudullah - sent in early, above Mominul - is off the mark, taking the first runs off Mirwais in three overs. Meanwhile, Ravi Nair reckons him like Collingwood, or, splitting the difference with Kallis, Mohinder Amarnath. Updated at 4.49am GMT 4.43am GMT04:43 And drinks. Afghanistan have earned this, keeping their discipline when the early wickets they might have expected and relied upon didn’t arrive. 4.42am GMT04:42 And it’s out! Top of middle-and-off! Afghanistan are right into this! Updated at 4.47am GMT 4.42am GMT04:42 This still looks out - there’s certainly no edge, though perhaps it’s too high! 4.40am GMT04:40 Review! 4.40am GMT04:40 WICKET! Anamul lbw b Mirwais 29 (Bangladesh 52-2) 15 dots in a row from Mirwais, and he catches Anamul on the back leg as he misses with his drive - that looked extremely adjacent, if such a thing is physically, linguistically possible. Either way, just reward for some excellent bowling. Updated at 4.44am GMT 4.38am GMT04:38 16th over: Bangladesh 52-1 (Anamul 29, Sarkar 0) Nabi is bowling really well here - each ball asks a question, forcing the batsman to take a risk to score. And Anamul takes one, powering through a late cut with the wrists that flies off for four down to third man. Nabi is not impressed when the fielder decides he can’t be arsed with a pointles chase. 4.35am GMT04:35 15th over: Bangladesh 47-1 (Anamul 24, Sarkar 0) Wicket-maiden for Mirwais, who’s minding me a little of Kallis, l’havdil - I wonder, might they try an over from an opener to try and dispatch a second batsman? Updated at 4.38am GMT 4.32am GMT04:32 WICKET! Tamim c Zazai b Mirwais 19 (Bangladesh 47-1) And there it is! Afghanistan’s first World Cup wicket! And they’ve earned it too. Tamim has become increasingly agitated the last few overs, and Mirwais, nagging outside off-stump, persuades him to fence nondescriptly. He edges, and Zazai takes a fine catch, moving left and snatching it one-handed, right in the edge of the glove, around knee-height, on the flying roll. Updated at 5.56am GMT 4.31am GMT04:31 14th over: Bangladesh 47-0 (Anamul 24, Tamim 19) Anamul takes a single, then a seam-upper is feathered away for another. Next ball doesn’t turn, fooling Anamul - or Biljoy, as he’s known - and one more one makes it four for the over. Updated at 4.31am GMT 4.28am GMT04:28 13th over: Bangladesh 43-0 (Anamul 22, Tamim 17) Mirwais sees Tamim advancing down the track, drags his length back, and beats him. And Tamim’s a little jumpy all of a sudden, bumping one down into the off-side, setting off, turning and if the shy hits, he’s gone - but it misses, so he turns again and gets a single. He might use the time at the non-striker’s to engage himself in earnest conversation. “Also,” returns Ravi Nair, “weirdly, expected Afghanistan to look amateurish, which they don’t. And why should they, given their qualifying route?” Yup, it’s easy to patronise or to assume, then fortify it with cliche, but they know what they’re doing. 4.24am GMT04:24 12th over: Bangladesh 41-0 (Anamul 21, Tamim 16) Nabi brings himself on for some off-spin, and Anamul works his first ball away for a single on the leg side. Next a leg-side wide, after which one beats the bat and flicks the pad - there’s a muted appeal, and Hawkeye shows the ball would’ve passed leg-stump. Then, Tamim takes a single to long-off, and that’s the last run off a handy over. 4.20am GMT04:20 11th over: Bangladesh 38-0 (Anamul 20, Tamim 15) Maiden from Mirwais, exactly what Afghanistan needed after that last over. “We all wish Bangladesh well, surely, but we also all want Afghanistan to win, no?” asks Ravi Nair rhetorically. And yes, I’d say that’s the long and short of it - we can witter on about how their just being there is incredible, which it is, but well, you know: more more more. 4.15am GMT04:15 10th over: Bangladesh 38-0 (Anamul 20, Tamim 15) Aftab’s first ball is miserable, too short and outside off - Anamul has plenty of time to slam it through midwicket for four, then glances two more off his hips before crunching a further four through cover, up on his toes - that’s a great shot, a back-foot cover drive. Aftab comes back well though, a scrambled seam length delivery tucking Anamul up and beating him outside off - but this is now a decent start. 4.11am GMT04:11 9th over: Bangladesh 28-0 (Anamul 10, Tamim 15) Mirwais replaces Hamid, and drags his first ball leg-side, flicked around the corner by Tamim for three. But he comes back well, and his third ball bounces more than Anamul expected, clipping his midriff as he misses with his pull. But he judges the final delivery better, tucking it off his ankle for a single down to square-leg. 4.07am GMT04:07 8th over: Bangladesh 24-0 (Anamul 9, Tamim 12) Aftab Alam into the attack, and he’s not able to extract the same pace and bounce as Shapoor, but he’s banging them in just back of a length. Tamim nurdles a single to midwicket, and then Anamul wafts outside off, missing, and that’s another tight over. 4.03am GMT04:03 7th over: Bangladesh 23-0 (Anamul 9, Tamim 11) Hassan finds a better length, still full, but not overpitched, hitting the gloves hard. And like Tamim the previous over, Anamul plays him well, picking up one that drifts straight and whipping it to fine leg for four. Like India the other day, Bangladesh aren’t going mad at the start, opting instead to stay in - I imagine they reckon a score of 280+ will be too much for Afghanistan to chase, so wickets in hand are more important than flash in pan. 3.59am GMT03:59 6th over: Bangladesh 19-0 (Anamul 5, Tamim 11) The Afghani quicks really do have the right idea, with the hair and the run-ups - it’s meant to be theatre, and they’re making it so. Shapoor isn’t giving anything away here, but Tamim looks in nick, playing confidently and looking to put bat on ball. Maiden. 3.56am GMT03:56 5th over: Bangladesh 19-0 (Anamul 5, Tamim 11) After a leg bye, Hamid, giving the ball every chance to swing, goes fuller - too full - and Tamim swings through it hard, opening the face at the last second to send the ball hurtling to the fence at cover. Shot. Then, another strong drive, this time towards mid-on, but it’s parried in the field and yields only a single, and then one straightens late and clips the pad - but there was a faint edge first. Talking of action heroes, this is superb, and will make you dislike your friends even further. 3.51am GMT03:51 4th over: Bangladesh 13-0 (Anamul 5, Tamim 6) It still looks like that was out as Anamul takes two off the first ball of the next over, tucked away leg-side - they should run three, but make do weeith two. Oh dear, that still looks out - and Tamim is not someone to whom you give chances. Shapoor is finding a better line this over, and also extracting more bounce, beating Anamul with a lifter and then squaring him into a solid defensive stroke. Final delivery, Anamul drives into the covers, a dive cuts off the boundary, but the return is fumbled and a single thusly stolen. 3.47am GMT03:47 3rd over: Bangladesh 10-0 (Anamul 2, Tamim 6) Tamim takes two, flicking off his hip, and then stands and waits for a wide one, thrashing it through cover for four. Then, next ball, he follows one that shapes away, misses, there’s a sound, Hamid thinks it’s out, of course he does, but they decide not to review. Hmmm, that looked a good shout to me. Still, decent start from Afghanistan. Updated at 3.47am GMT 3.42am GMT03:42 2nd over: Bangladesh 4-0 (Anamul 2, Tamim 0) It’s Shapoor Zadran at the other end, and he tanks into his long run, hair swaying in the wind, scary face set. A left-armer, he starts over the wicket, moving them away from the right hander, and Anamul runs him down to third man for a single. Then a dot, then a leg bye, and then Anamul tries a pull, missing by a long way and bottom-edging into the thigh as Anamul. In our playground, that kind of thing was known as a donkey bite, only performed with the hand, which grabbed a goodly measure of flesh and squeezed hard. Updated at 3.44am GMT 3.37am GMT03:37 1st over: Bangladesh 2-0 (Anamul 1, Tamim 0) Hamid Hassan opens, and sends down an off-side wide to begin, but finds his line with his second ball, hurrying Anamul who defends in front of the pad. Hamid is wearing war paint and a headband - he looks rather like an action hero - an action hero with braces, on account of the curious trouser-stripes that run from buttock to thigh on each leg. And he’s too straight with his fourth ball, turned off the hip for one, but he comes back well, extracting pace and bounce for two more dots. Updated at 3.54am GMT 3.32am GMT03:32 So, here we go. Afghanistan are go! Updated at 3.33am GMT 3.30am GMT03:30 Mid-90s nostalgia: 3.29am GMT03:29 The Bangladeshi anthem is the Shine On You Crazy Diamond of anthems. 3.27am GMT03:27 Who remembers this? 3.25am GMT03:25 Anthem time. 3.24am GMT03:24 It’s very hard to say this and not sound trite, but sometimes, trite is necessary and good, or maybe even not trite at all. So, Afghanistan cricket is the beauty of sport. Updated at 3.28am GMT 3.17am GMT03:17 The pitch, Sunil Gavaskar reckons, is good, with a few cracks that oughtn’t to affect things too much. It might assist the spinners later on, but it’s one on which to bat. And, now we know that to be Bangladesh, the key to this game will be how they handle the Afghanistan pace attack. 3.13am GMT03:13 So, Tamim is back for Bangladesh - he played a warm-up, but this is his first official game back after injury. They leave out Nasir Hossain, Taijul Islam, Arafat Sunny and Al-Amin Afghanistan omit Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Usman Ghani and Nasir Jamal. Updated at 3.21am GMT 3.12am GMT03:12 Our teams: Afghanistan: Afsar Zazai†, Javed Ahmadi, Nawroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi*,Najibullah Zadran, Mirwais Ashraf, Aftab Alam, Shapoor Zadran, Hamid Hassan. Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Sabbir Rahman,Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Soumya Sarkar, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed. 3.08am GMT03:08 Further introduction to Afghanistan. 3.06am GMT03:06 Bangladesh have won the toss and will bat. Let’s hope that we get our first close game of a competition which, so far, has thrilled with individual brilliance but not with collective competitiveness. 3.03am GMT03:03 But, in the meantime, somehow, they’re the highest ranked of the associate nations. Somehow, not that they don’t deserve it, but somehow, it’s an achievement entirely astounding in its unforeseeable, romantic nature. Twenty years ago, they were nothing and nowhere, and yet, just last month, they walloped Ireland by 71 runs. They’ll fancy their chances against Bangladesh, who’ve not kicked on since being awarded Test status. Updated at 3.15am GMT 3.00am GMT03:00 So, Afghanistan, then. Take an hour, twenty-five minutes and nine seconds to enjoy this. 3.00am GMT03:00 Preamble In any and every World Cups, the initial excitement relates to the matches between the biggest teams. Your Indias and your Pakistans, your Englands and your Australias, your New Zealands and your South Africas. But equally entwined in the fabric of the thing are the games between the so-called so-called lesser nations. All the better if they’re at an inconvenient hour of the day, they’re either brilliant - brilliant - or rubbish - brilliant, watching them establishing a person as definitively absorbed by the competition. So, here we are with your Afghanistans and your Bangladeshes, two sides and two players with their own stories and their own talents that’ve got them to this point. Let’s enjoy! Updated at 3.10am GMT |