It was their last match of the Asia Cup and debutants Afghanistan ended the tournament with sweet memories more or so with Samiullah Shenwari getting an eye-catching 50 (6x4, 1x6) in his first match against India.
Thanks to Shenwari’s fifth ODI 50, Afghanistan rolled on to make 159 in 45.2 overs and thereby delayed the inevitable. India cantered to an eight-wicket win and got those runs in 32.2 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. The win had little of significance for India as they had bowed out with losses to eventual finalists Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
But it was a reality check for other Afghanistan batsmen as far as skills and temperament were concerned. They looked lost against spin and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja had a flattering figures of 4 for 29.
All eyes were on when Afghanistan came out to bat in the morning. Opener Noor Ali Zadran made an aggressive start as he blasted four fours in the first two overs off Mohammad Shami, who, however, had Nawroz Mangal playing on to his stumps.
The Afghans raced away to 30 in two overs. But once spin was introduced in the form of Jadeja, the leaden-footed Afghan batsmen were left stranded. Jadeja removed Rahmat Shah (lbw) with his first ball and then sent back their best batsman Asghar Stanikzai, who was out to a soft dismissal, two balls later. His tame push resulted in a catch to mid-on.
Noor, too, looked out of sorts against spin and he eventually fell to Jadeja, edging to Kohli at slip. The wickets tumbled. Ravichandran Ashwin had left-hander Najibullah holed out to the deep.
Skipper Mohammad Nabi was clueless to a ball which jumped and turned from Jadeja to be caught behind. Ashwin’s carom balls consumed Mohammad Shahzad and Shapoor Zadran. Mishra, who beat the batsmen on numerous occasions, dismissed Ashraf to have Afghanistan reeling at 95 for 7.
Gallery: India Hammer Hapless Afghans
But Shenwari, unlike other batsmen, showed better technique and played with softer hands to take the challenge to the Indian bowlers. His timing and placement was impeccable. He sliced open the attack with splendid shots that raced away to the boundary. Shenwari batted with soaring confidence as he swept Ashwin for a six and then played a powerful reverse sweep that sped to the boundary. He relished the pressure to come out with flying colours. He cut and straight drove Shami before reaching his 50. He eventually fell to an adventurous shot. Going for a scoop shot to Shami, he was caught plumb in front.
But Shami was out of sorts again. He bowled too full or short. He was punished. He conceded maximum number of fours (eight) in the Afghanistan’s innings. The figures of 7.2-0-50-2 itself tells the story.
In India’s chase, Ajinkhya Rahane came out to open with Shikhar Dhawan. The two hit 34 for no loss in nine overs before the innings break. The Afghan bowlers were steady but not penetrative enough to make any dent in the Indian batting. Rahane and Dhawan began quietly before getting into a groove. Dhawan escaped early in the innings with Shenwari grassing him at point off Dawlat Zadran, who generated good pace. Rahane (56) and Dhawan realized 121 runs in 23.3 overs before the former played across to Ashraf to be lbw. Dhawan (60) followed with Nabi beating his defence and disturbing the stumps. Skipper Virat Kohli did not bat and Dinesh Karthik along with Rohit Sharma ensured a smooth passage to the victory target.