New Delhi: Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto hit the right notes while taking on Afghanistan in the second ODI in Sharjah on Saturday. His stroke play was on point, something that he missed a bit in the series opener, and smacked 77 runs off 119 balls, laced with six fours and a six. This is his ninth fifty in one day-internationals which could have converted into his fourth ODI ton but the Afghan bowlers know how to turn things around.
Opting to bat first in the second game, Bangladesh were given a decent start by the openers Tanzid Hasan (22 off 17) and Soumya Sarkar (35 off 49) as they partnered for 28 runs for the first wicket. As Hasan departed, Shanto came to strike and stitched a 71-run stand with Sarkar for the second wicket. Sarkar had to walk back as well and Shanto was then joined by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with whom he added 53 runs for the third wicket.
9th ODI FIFTY for Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto! 💥 Leading from the front against Afghanistan in Sharjah! 🏏
PC: ACB#BCB | #Cricket | #BANvAFG pic.twitter.com/xxvf9wNMXr
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) November 9, 2024
He kept his end firm and saw wickets falling from his side. With Towhid Hridoy, he partnered for 22 runs, and with Mahmudullah, he could only add 9 as he was sent packing by Nangeyalia Kharote with the help of veteran Mohammad Nabi who caught him at long-off. Bangladesh look set to give Afghanistan a target of anywhere between 220-250 in the second ODI.
Here’s the video of Shanto’s dismissal –
Taken in the deep! 👏 #AfghanAtalan | #AFGvBAN | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/pplUKqXwqZ
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 9, 2024
Shanto in 1st ODI
The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side decimated the Bangla Tigers in the first ODI on Wednesday. In the game, Shanto was close to his fifty but was sent back by Mohammad Nabi with the help of Hashmatullah Shahidi. He could manage 47 off 68 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes in the process. Bangladesh were chasing a target of 236 runs but were bundled out on 143 in just 34.3 overs.
It was another blot on Bangladesh Cricket as they were totally outclassed by teenage spin sensation Allah Ghazanfar who picked up six wickets and steered his team to victory. The series is currently led by the Afghans 1-0 and Bangladesh are trying to level things up and take things to the decider.
Najmul Hossain Shanto registered his ninth ODI fifty in the second ODI being played between Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. He departed after playing a knock of 119-ball 77. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
