Leg-spinner Rashid Khan celebrated his 20th birthday by scoring a half century and taking two wickets as Afghanistan upset Bangladesh by 136 runs in the last league match of Asia Cup 2018 on Thursday.
Rashid smashed unbeaten 57 off 32 balls with the help of eight fours and a six to guide Afghanistan to an imposing 255-7 after their captain Asghar Afghan won the toss and decided to bat first at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabhi.
Rashid then finished with 2/13 in nine overs and also effected a run out, claiming the prized wickets of Shakib Al Hasan (32) and Mahmudullah Riyad (27).
The Afghans bowled out Bangladesh for just 119 in 42.1 overs. It was their second astonishing victory in the tournament following a 91-run win over Sri Lanka which sent the islanders crashing out in the first round.
Also, this score of 119 was Bangladesh’s lowest total against Afghanistan by some distance — their previous lowest against the Afghans was 208 in Dhaka two years ago.
Earlier, Hashmatullah Shahidi hit a 92-ball 58 with three fours to revive Afghanistan after they were jolted by left-arm spinner Shakib who finished with 4-42 in his ten overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Such a joy to watch this wonderfully gifted and talented Afghanistan team! They have made incredible progress in such a short time. A real force in white ball formats, the cricketing world must watch out.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 20, 2018
Afghanistan well and truly announced them In A Class of World Cricket in this#AsiaCup2018 . After Sri Lanka now they out class Bangladesh by 136 runs. Good Luck Team Pakistan.
— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) September 20, 2018
Congrats @ACBofficials on another comprehensive win. Good all round performance by the birthday boy @rashidkhan_19 Keep it up. #AsiaCup
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 20, 2018
🇦🇫 have smashed 🇧🇩 like. pic.twitter.com/VnkyzVLg7R
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 20, 2018
Rashid Khan is first player in ODI history to score 50 and take 2 wickets on his birthday. #AsiaCup2108
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) September 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/JagratiShukla29/status/1042849649004929024
Not just the top T20 bowler but now laying claim to being called an all-rounder. Way to go, young man @rashidkhan_19
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 20, 2018
There’s no dead rubber for Afghanistan….every game is a celebration from them. First Sri Lanka and Now, Bangladesh. If they win two out of the three tosses in Super-4, they will reach the finals. #AsiaCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2018
Its second nature to root for the underdog, but can’t really figure out who the underdog is. #AFGvBAN
— Roha Nadeem (@RohaNadym) September 20, 2018
Good job Afghanistan. Good lads. Taaliyan!!!!!
Underestimated maybe, by Bangladesh?#AFGvBAN #AsiaCup2108— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) September 20, 2018
Not just the top T20 bowler but now laying claim to being called an all-rounder. Way to go, young man @rashidkhan_19
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 20, 2018
There’s a major power shift occurring for cricket in the subcontinent. And by the looks of it, it’s here to stay for the foreseeable future.. #BANvAFG Well done @ACBofficials – Topped the ‘group of death’ #AsiaCup2018
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) September 20, 2018
This Asia Cup is a joke, and just a silly cover to contrive a 3-match India-Pakistan bilateral series in the Gulf. Only brave Afghanistan can upset this. Let’s hope they do
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) September 20, 2018
Unbelievable! Afghanistan won Bangladesh by 136 runs. Well done, Blue Tigers. #AFGvBAN #Cricket #AsiaCup18
— Ehsanullah Amiri (@euamiri) September 20, 2018
