Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance in their comprehensive win over Afghanistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday, particularly highlighting the excellent execution of their game plan by the fast bowlers.
In a dominant display, Bangladesh chose to bat and amassed 334 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 50 overs, with Najmul Hossain Shanto (104) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (112) both scoring centuries. They then bowled out Afghanistan for 245 runs in 44.3 overs, securing a convincing 89-run victory.
"We executed our plans really well; the fast bowlers especially bowled their heart out. This wasn't an easy wicket to bowl on," Shakib said, speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"We played very well all-round. It wasn't easy for the fielders to play 50 overs and come and bat, so we were really lucky to win the toss."
The win kept Bangladesh's hopes of reaching the 'Super 4' stage alive.
Centurion Mehidy Hasan was promoted to open the batting, and he repaid the trust the team management showed in him. "He got his chance up the order and proved himself; we always knew he had the ability," said Shakib.
Afghanistan were set a gigantic target to chase, but the Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi thought it was doable.
"The outfield was quick and the target was chaseable, but we lost wickets. Their bowlers were good in the beginning, and our run rate was really low, that's why we couldn't win," he said.
"We need to improve in all the departments. Today our bowling was not good enough, neither was our fielding."
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Mehidy, who was named the 'Player of the Match', said, "It was an excellent wicket, the ball was coming on easy so I just tried to strike through the line. It was an excellent partnership with Shanto."
(With agency inputs)
