Afghanistan notch first ODI success over a Test-playing nation in Bangladesh

Samiullah Shenwari and Asghar Stanikzai propel the Associate nation with four ODIs under their belt to a win over the hosts who make heavy weather of their run chase.

Afghanistan’s Samiullah Shenwari celebrates after scoring a half century that gave the team a vital edge in posting a target Bangladesh failed to surpass on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Andrew Biraj / ReutersShow less

FATULLAH, Bangladesh // Afghanistan put up a brilliant performance to upset hosts Bangladesh by 32 runs for their first the Asia Cup victory yesterday.

Afghanistan rode on a brilliant unbeaten career best 90 by Asghar Stanikzai and a punishing 69-ball 81 by Samiullah Shinwari to post a challenging 254-6 before bowling out their rivals for 222 in 47.5 overs.

Afghanistan’s victory marked their first win over a Test playing country in four one-day matches. They previously lost both their one-day internationals against Pakistan and one against Australia.

Afghanistan are playing the Asia Cup for the first time. It was a great shock for the hosts, who were runners-up in the last Asia Cup in 2012 to Pakistan.

Bangladesh, who lost their opening match to India, never looked settled in their run-chase as they lost their openers by the second over with only a single run on the board.

It was a 68-run stand between Mominul Haque (50) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (23) that lifted Bangladesh before Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi claimed his counterpart’s wicket. Mominul hit six boundaries in a sedate 72-ball innings but once he was bowled by Shinwari (1-23), all hopes of a home team win evaporated.

Earlier, Afghanistan, put into bat, owed their total to a record sixth wicket stand of 164 runs between Stanikzai and Shinwari who lifted their team from a precarious 90-5.

Stanikzai hit six boundaries and three towering sixes iwhile Shinwari smashed 10 fours and a six as they ran riot in the final 10 overs, adding 107 runs.

Team P W L NR Pts NRR

Sri Lanka 2 2 0 0 8 +0.17

Pakistan 2 1 1 0 5 +0.60

India 2 1 1 0 4 +0.02

Afghanistan 2 1 1 0 4 -0.40

Bangladesh 2 0 2 0 0 -0.38