World Twenty20: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan - As it happened...

Live updates from the opening match of 2014 ICC World Twenty20, between hosts Bangladesh and Afghanistan being played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

Zee Media Bureau/Jayanta Oinam & Chaitan Papnai

SCORECARD» | COMMENTARY» | MATCH REPORT» ============================================================== Bangladesh innings Over 12 || Score 78/1 Anamul Haque, launched Samiullah Shenwari for a sIX in the 12th over to seal the match in style for his country. Bangladesh won the opening match of World Twenty20 by nine wickets against Afghanistan with 48 balls to spare. Shakib Al Hasan has been awarded with Man of the Match for scalping three wickets. =================================================== Over 10 || Score 56/1 In the eighth over, Samiullah Shenwari finally gave his team the first breakthrough in the form of Tamim Iqbal, who was trapped in front of the wicket after scoring 21 runs in mere 27 deliveries. Meanwhile, the home side has crossed the mark of fifty runs and are mere 17 runs shy of registering a victory over minnows Afghanistan. Tamim Iqbal lbw b Samiullah Shenwari 21 (27b) =================================================== Over 5 || Score 23/0 In the first five overs, Bangladesh openers – Anamul Haque and Tamim Iqbal – have played sensible cricket. They are playing according to the situation and waiting for the loose balls to score runs. Afghanistan are on the verge of losing their first match of World Twenty20 match. =================================================== Afghanistan Innings Over 17.1 || Score 72 Afghanistan have only managed to set the target of 73 runs in front of the home side after being invited to bat first. Bangladesh bowlers have done their job and now it's time for their batsmen to chase the paltry total successfully. Shapoor Zadran b Shakib Al Hasan 1 (13m 11b) Dawlat Zadran c Mahmudullah b Farhad Reza 1 (10m 6b) =================================================== Over 16 || Score 70/8 Afghanistan have been losing wickets at regular internals. In last few overs Afghanistan have lost two more wickets in the form of Samiullah Shenwari and Shafiqullah. The credit should be given to the Bangla bowlers, who have been bowling at a tight line. Shafiqullah c Mushfiqur Rahim b Mahmudullah 16 (16b) Samiullah Shenwari lbw b Abdur Razzak 1 (3b) =================================================== Over 12 || Score 58/6 Another run out. Indecision taking its toll. And the trouble brewing for the minnows in Afghanistan. Going for a second run, Karim Sadiq felled to direct hit from Nasir Hossain. Karim Sadiq run out 10 (23b) =================================================== Over 9.3 || Score 49/5 Another wicket. It seems Afghanistan batsmen have no clue. Mohammad Nabi failed to pick the turn as the ball skidded through. Adjudged leg before the wicket by the referee. Mohammad Nabi lbw b Abdur Razzak 3 (9b) Some quick wickets and Bangladesh are in a prime position to restrict the Afghanistan innings under 100. =================================================== Over 6.1 || Score 36/4 It has become one-way traffic for the hosts, and taking wickets for fun. This time a run-out. Nawoz Mangal tried to steal a quick single after playing a shot towards short fine-leg. But an accurate throw from Sabbir Rahman hit the stumps. Nawroz Mangal run out 0 (1b) =================================================== Over 6 || Score 36/3 Double strike from Shakib Playing shots in no sin, but playing reckless shots can certainly be considered a crime. In an eventful over from Shakib Al Hasan, Afghanistan lost two wickets in successive balls. Najeeb Tarakai c Mahmudullah b Shakib Al Hasan 7 (11b) Gulbadin Naib c Sabbir Rahman b Shakib Al Hasan 21 (22b) =================================================== Over 5 || Score 32/1 Somehow, the batting side have recovered from the first fall jolt. But in this slam-bang version of the game, six runs an over will not be enough. Being said that, with wickets in hand, Afghanistan can increase the run rate in the latter part of the innings. =================================================== Over 3 || Score 15/1 Three more overs left to the first mandatory powerplay. Following that horrendous start to their campaign, Afghanistan batsmen are trying hard to establish a partnership. In the centre, Najeeb Tarakai and Gulbadin Naib are negotiating with Bangladeshi attack. After the end of third over, Bangladesh have scored 15 runs with the help of one four and one six. =================================================== Over 0.1 || Score 0/1 A dream start for the hosts, as Mashrafe Mortaza removes Afghanistan opener Mohammad Shahzad off the very first ball of the tournament. Shahzad tried to launch the ball into the orbit, but it failed to took off and instead landed into the palms of onrushing Mahmudullah at mid-off. Mohammad Shahzad c Mahmudullah b Mashrafe Mortaza 0 (1b) Some start to the slam-bang T20 tournament. =================================================== Toss: Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and selected to bowl first. Here are the teams: Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(capt. & wk), Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Farhad Reza, Mashrafe Mortaza, Al-Amin Hossain, Abdur Razzak Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Nawroz Mangal, Karim Sadiq, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Mohammad Nabi (capt.), Gulbadin Naib, Samiullah Shenwari, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Aftab Alam, Najeeb Tarakai =================================================== Mirpur: Brace for the birth of yet another cricketing rivalry, that too an Asian one. If the India-Pakistan matches can halt the proceedings in the sub-continent, the newest rivalry between two of the fastest growing cricketing nations – Afghanistan and Bangladesh, is going to be an ongoing tussle for honour and status. Following the sumptuous appetisers from the recently concluded Asia Cup, wherein the Associate team from Afghanistan shocked Bangladesh, albeit in a different format, the stage is set for a bigger and larger course. In the opening fixture of the 2014 World Twenty20, a revamped and revenge-seeking Bangladesh will once against test the verve and attitude of new-boys from Afghanistan in their Group A encounter here. With only the winners from each group progressing to the next round of the tournament, aptly called the Super 10, winning every match will be the sole target for teams taking part in this early phase of the tournament, which will serve as the qualifier. Other two teams in the group are Hong Kong and Nepal. When the tournament proper starts on March 21, between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, the so-called minnows would like to join the big boys and fight for the title.