Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal said they didn't expect a win in the first match of the three-match series against Afghanistan after losing too many wickets early while chasing a moderate total of 216 runs in Chattogram.
Afghanistan batted first in this match after winning the toss. Bangladeshi bowlers were disciplined enough to restrict them to 215 runs all out in 49.1 overs with Mustafizur Rahman bagging three wickets.
In reply, Bangladesh lost five wickets in just 28 runs. Only a batter was able to reach a double-digit score among the first six.
And at that point, Bangladesh had no hope to win this match as Tamim said after the match, though, Afif Hossain and Mehdiy Hasan Miraz made it possible.
“After losing those wickets in early overs, I have no belief that we can win this match,” Tamim said in the post-match briefing with the broadcaster, reports UNB.
“If I say I have the belief to win this match, it would be a lie. The match was so difficult. I’m so happy— not for winning the match, but for the two youngsters who have played outstandingly,” Tamim added.
Bangladesh captain also said that having the bowlers like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi as opponents makes it tough for any team to score runs easily.
While Tamim said he had no belief to win this match, Mehidy, who played a pivotal role to win this match, said he and Afif had the confidence to turn things on Afghanistan and register a victory.
“Afif and I talked to each other and said that we can win this match and for that, we have to bat well,” Mehidy said in the post-match briefing with the broadcaster. “There is nothing that humans can’t achieve. Afif was outstanding, and he inspired me a lot.”
Afif and Mehdiy added 174 runs in the unbeaten seventh-wicket stand— a Bangladesh record. They surpassed the previous record of 127 by Imrul Kayes and Mohammad Saifuddin.
