It was Rashid Khan’s birthday on Thursday and the guy decided to make his 20th one special. Afghanistan was up against Bangladesh in the final match of the group stage. Both teams had already qualified for the Super 4 stage and this game was inconsequential in the context of the tournament. But it didn’t stop Rashid from pulling off a stunning all-round show.
The Afghan skipper elected to bat first after winning the toss. The batting side didn’t have a great start as Ihsanullah Janat got out for just 8 courtesy the debutant Abu Hider. The last game’s half-centurion Rahmat Shah couldn’t last long this time and Hider bagged his second wicket.
The wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad added 51 runs for the 3rd wicket alongside Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahzad was looking good in the middle but his stay was cut short by Shakib Al Hasan for 37 as the score read 79/3 in the 20th over. Shakib claimed another soon by sending back Asghar Afghan for 8.
The left-arm spinner didn’t stop just there and accounted for the wicket of Samiullah Shenwari for 18. Shahidi, after scoring 58, fell to Rubel Hossain. Mohammad Nabi disappointed when he became the 4th victim of Shakib for 10. Afghanistan was struggling at 160/7 after 41 overs and had a major scare of falling short of a decent total.
Rashid Khan’s birthday treat
When the team demanded, Rashid stood up. He is known for his skills with the ball but on this occasion, he showcased his skills with the bat in hand. During the slog overs, he smashed an unbeaten 57 off just 32 balls. Gulbadin Naib supported him well as the duo added 95 runs in the last 9 overs to take the side to 255/7 at the halfway mark.
Bangladesh’s reply was filled with poor batting displays. Mujeeb Ur Rahman removed Nazmul Hossain for 7 in the 4th over. It was the beginning of a collapse and Bangladesh never recovered. Liton Das, Mominul Haque and Mohammad Mithun all fell in quick succession to leave the side in stutters at 43/4 in the 15th over.
The last hope for the batting side existed with the presence of Shakib and Mahmudullah. Both began to play cautiously and hung in there for a while. But it was Rashid’s turn to shine with the ball as he removed both the batsmen. 2 more wickets fell before Rashid chipped in with a direct hit to present himself the last gift of the day. Ultimately, Bangladesh was bowled out for 119 handing Afghanistan a win by 136 runs.
Match Summary
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first
Afghanistan: 255/7 in 50 overs
Hashmatullah Shahidi 58 (92), Rashid Khan 57* (32)
Shakib Al Hasan 42/4 (10), Abu Hider 50/2 (9)
Bangladesh: 119/10 in 42.1 overs
Shakib Al Hasan 32 (55), Mahmudullah 27 (54)
Rashid Khan 13/2 (9), Mujeeb Ur Rahman 22/2 (8.1)
Afghanistan won by 136 runs
Player of the Match: Rashid Khan
Twitterati hailed Afghanistan’s thumping win
Not just the top T20 bowler but now laying claim to being called an all-rounder. Way to go, young man @rashidkhan_19
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 20, 2018
Birthday boy on fire !! what a way to celebrate with such a special inn like that … few wickets with the ball will be the icing on the cake.. happy birthday @rashidkhan_19
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 20, 2018
Birthday boy @rashidkhan_19 scored a quick knock of 57 runs off just 32 balls against Bangladesh in Asia Cup. #AFGvBAN #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/Pex4PLe0aJ
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 20, 2018
Khan Saab….Tussi Great ho. Tohfa Kabool Karo… 😊🙌🙏 #Rashid #Unbelievable #BanvAfg #AsiaCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2018
Such a joy to watch this wonderfully gifted and talented Afghanistan team! They have made incredible progress in such a short time. A real force in white ball formats, the cricketing world must watch out.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 20, 2018
There’s no dead rubber for Afghanistan….every game is a celebration from them. First Sri Lanka and Now, Bangladesh. If they win two out of the three tosses in Super-4, they will reach the finals. #AsiaCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2018
An amazingly skillful spinner and a whirlwind batsman. Afghanistan has truly found their first cricketing superstar. RASHID KHAN's exploits will inspire many in his country in the years to come #BANvAFG
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) September 20, 2018
Oh boyyyyy! @rashidkhan_19 has bull dozed his way to a half century!! 57 of 32 and wait, Abhi to ‘birthday’ party shuru hui hai 😉.. How many wickets for the birthday boy? I’m going with three #BANvAFG
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) September 20, 2018
Huge fan of @rashidkhan_19 just for the awareness of the game. He's only 20. Birthday Boy 🎂 gets to fifty. He can do it with the bat too. Proper all-rounder, that too 🔥 🔥 🔥
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 20, 2018
Rashid ‘Karaamati’ Khan…. how does this sound? #AsiaCup @StarSportsIndia #MiddleName
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2018
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