The 2023 ICC World Cup began with Bangladesh outshining Afghanistan, winning by six wickets with a stunning 92 balls to spare in Dharamsala. Bangladesh's decision to bowl first proved sharp as their bowlers overwhelmed Afghanistan's batting lineup.
Shakib Al Hasan took three vital wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shoriful Islam chipped in with two wickets each. Afghanistan struggled, losing nine wickets for just 73 runs in 22.2 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the top scorer for Afghanistan with 47 runs, but their batting was unable to recover after early losses.
Shakib Al Hasan's exceptional performance set the tone for Bangladesh, breaking Afghanistan's early partnership. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi's struggles against Mehidy further hindered Afghanistan's progress. Gurbaz became Afghanistan's fastest player to reach 1000 ODI runs, taking just 27 innings, but the pressure from Bangladesh led to his dismissal.
Bangladesh briefly stumbled while chasing a target of 156, losing two early wickets. Afghanistan had a chance, but their fielding lapses, including dropped catches, allowed Bangladesh to regain control. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto's partnership of 97 runs ensured Bangladesh's victory with over 15 overs to spare, marking a strong start to their 2023 ICC World Cup campaign.
Bangladesh's commanding performance showcased its potential as a strong contender in the 2023 ICC World Cup. On the other hand, Afghanistan faces a challenging journey to break their World Cup losing streak, dating back to 2015.
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