With a superb mix of pace and spin, Akbar Ali’s Bangladesh side crushed defending champions Afghanistan for just 78 runs, sealing a commanding victory.
Afghanistan came into the match boasting a spin-heavy attack featuring AM Ghazanfar, Qais Ahmad and Nangeyalia Kharote. But to make those spinners effective, they needed runs on the board — something Bangladesh never allowed. A relentless bowling attack dismantled the Afghan batting lineup and delivered a crucial win for Bangladesh.
In the ACC Rising Stars Tournament, Bangladesh A defeated last year’s champions Afghanistan A by eight wickets, moving to the brink of the semifinals.
On Monday in Doha, Afghanistan were skittled for just 78. New-ball bowler Ripon Mondol led the charge with a brilliant spell, taking three wickets. Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan followed with a superb performance, giving away only seven runs in four overs and picking up three wickets as well.
Bangladesh’s openers struggled early against Ghazanfar’s sharp spin, but after the initial wobble, they lost no further wickets.
The pitch at West End Park International Cricket Stadium offered turn and grip, unlike the high-scoring tracks seen in previous matches. Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bowl—an excellent decision as Ripon immediately made an impact. Afghan batters also contributed with poor shot selection.
On just the second ball of the match, Imran Mir edged a boundary. But Ripon struck back immediately, dismissing him with a loose shot to short fine leg.
From the other end, SM Meherob was hit for a six by Sediqullah Atal, hinting at a counterattack. But in Ripon’s second over, both Atal and Noor-ul-Rehman fell attempting big shots.
Afghanistan, reduced to three down within three overs, were suffocated by tight bowling. After Atal’s early six, they failed to hit another boundary for the next ten overs.
Meherob and Rakibul applied relentless pressure. After conceding eight runs in his first over, Meherob gave away only six in his next three, taking two wickets. Rakibul, who started with two economical overs, struck three times in his last two overs with disciplined and accurate bowling.
Afghan captain Darwish Rasooli, who tried to hold the innings together with 27 off 28, was bowled by Abdul Gaffar Saqlain’s slower ball. Only three Afghan batters reached double digits, and their last five wickets fell for just 16 runs.
Akbar Ali used his bowlers impressively, rotating them smartly and setting eye-catching field placements. Only Abu Haider was expensive — just as he had been in the previous match despite being the most experienced bowler.
In the chase, Ghazanfar again made things difficult with a brilliant spell. Habibur Rahman Sohan struggled early and eventually got out for 10 off 13 despite getting a life. Jisan Alam also managed only 10 off 16.
But once Ghazanfar’s spell ended, Bangladesh batters found their rhythm. With no pressure on the run rate, Jawad Abrar and Mahidul Islam Ankon took their time before comfortably guiding the team home.
Jawad remained unbeaten on 24 off 22 (with two sixes), while Mahidul finished on 27 off 30.
Bangladesh A now sit on top of the group with four points from two games and a massive net run rate (4.079), thanks to scoring 171 in just 11 overs in their previous match. Even if they lose their final match to Sri Lanka A on Wednesday, their semifinal spot is virtually guaranteed.
Short Scorecard
- Afghanistan A:
78 all out in 18.4 overs
(Imran 4, Noor 1, Atal 8, Rasooli 27, Ijaz 12, Kharote 0, Shafi 6, Qais 12*, Ghazanfar 1, Abdullah 0, Sami 0;
Ripon 4-0-10-3, Meherob 4-1-14-2, Abu Haider 3.4-0-33-0, Rakibul 4-0-7-3, Saqlain 3-0-13-1) - Bangladesh A:
79/2 in 13.3 overs
(Sohan 10, Jisan 10, Jawad 24*, Mahidul 27*;
Ghazanfar 4-1-8-2, Sami 1-0-5-0, Kharote 4-0-29-0, Qais 3-0-14-0, Abdullah 1.3-0-21-0)
Result: Bangladesh A won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Ripon Mondol
