Afghanistan emerged victorious in the second ODI against Bangladesh, defeating them by 142 runs and securing their first-ever ODI series win. With this win, Afghanistan now leads the series 2-0, with the final game scheduled for Tuesday, July 11. Aakash Chopra, former India opener, praised Afghanistan for their impressive performance in Bangladesh and criticized the Indian team for their previous tour where they failed to beat Bangladesh.
Aakash Chopra recalled the series where India lost the first two matches but managed to win the third ODI thanks to a brilliant innings from Ishan Kishan.
“Afghanistan have won both the matches. They have defeated Bangladesh in their own backyard. This is the same Bangladesh where we lost the series. Remember that series where Rohit got injured and the Indian team lost the series, fell 2-0 behind, and then Ishan Kishan destroyed them in the last match where India won,” said Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.
ALSO READ: Ajinkya Rahane Shuts Down Age Concerns, Says “Age Is Just A Number”
Aakash Chopra highlighted the impressive performance of the Afghanistan spinners, who consistently took wickets during the game. He also praised the opening pair of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who shared a record-breaking 256-run partnership. Chopra believed that this win in subcontinental conditions would give Afghanistan confidence for the upcoming 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be held in India.
“They spun a web of spin, the spinners have picked up wickets consistently. Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz – batting has fired. Afghanistan are saying these are also subcontinental conditions and it will be similar conditions at the World Cup in India – so rule them out at your own peril,” Aakash Chopra added.
In the second ODI, Afghanistan posted a massive total of 331 runs, with Gurbaz and Zadran scoring 145 and 100 runs, respectively. Bangladesh’s bowlers, including Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mehidy Hasan, each took two wickets.
WATCH – MS Dhoni Opens Up About Deepak Chahar: ‘He’s Like A Drug’
In response, Bangladesh was bowled out for 189 runs, with Mushfiqur Rahim top-scoring with 69 runs. Afghanistan bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed three-wicket hauls, while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi picked up two and one wickets, respectively.
