Tigers kick off T20 with win

Posted Sunday, March 16, 2014 by PA

Shakib Al Hasan hit top form as Bangladesh began their ICC World Twenty20 campaign on home soil with a nine-wicket thumping of Afghanistan in Mirpur.

The Tigers suffered a shock defeat against the minnows in the Asia Cup earlier this month, but Shakib took three for eight in 3.1 overs as Afghanistan were all out for a paltry 72 which all but ensured a repeat would not be on the cards.

Afghanistan were put into bat at the Shere Bangla National Stadium and they made a disastrous start as Mohammad Shahzad was dismissed first ball by Mashrafe Mortaza before Shakib took two wickets in as many balls to derail their progress.

Gulbadin Naib top-scored with 21 but Afghanistan never recovered after he became Shakib's first victim, with Mohammad Nabi's men struggling badly on a turning pitch before subsiding to their low score after 17.1 overs.

A victory target of 73 was never likely to trouble Bangladesh and openers Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque put Afghanistan to the sword with an opening partnership of 45, which ended when the former was trapped in front by Samiullah Shenwari.

Anamul (44 not out) struck four fours before sealing victory with the last of his three sixes to give Bangladesh an impressive win which takes them top of Group A.

With only one team qualifying from the group through to the tournament proper, the Tigers still need to beat Hong Kong and Nepal to guarantee their progress.