Bangladesh Spinners Dominate the Game
The dynamic duo of Bangladesh spinners delivered a stellar performance, taking a combined 6/55 in 17 overs. They successfully dismissed four of the top five Afghanistan batsmen, playing a pivotal role in limiting Afghanistan’s first innings to a mere 156 runs.
On the other hand, Afghanistan’s spinners struggled to make an impact, given the low score they had to defend.
Unexpected Turn of Events on the Dharamsala Pitch
Mehidy, one of the Bangladesh spinners, expressed surprise at the turning conditions of the Dharamsala pitch, typically known for favouring seam bowling. He revealed that he and Shakib started off well, and after noticing the ball’s turn, they strategized their bowling accordingly. Despite a shaky start, the pace bowlers also made a strong comeback, contributing to the team’s overall performance.
Afghanistan’s Struggle Against Spin
Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s head coach, acknowledged the stark contrast in how the teams handled spin bowling. He admitted that Afghanistan’s batsmen struggled against the spinners, allowing the Bangladesh team to bowl effectively. Trott also noted that the pitch did show signs of turn and believed that had the game lasted longer, the ball would have spun more towards the end of the innings.
He further highlighted the team’s poor decision-making and instability, which led to their downfall in just 38 overs.
Upcoming Challenges for Afghanistan
With upcoming matches against cricketing giants India and England, Afghanistan faces a tough road ahead. Trott, however, remains optimistic and urges the team to bounce back from their initial setback. He expressed his eagerness for the upcoming match against India, confident that the team will rise to the occasion.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
While Afghanistan gears up for their next match in Delhi on Wednesday, Bangladesh will stay put in Dharamsala for their upcoming encounter with England on Tuesday.