Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 61 runs in their first Twenty20 match on Thursday, with left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed claiming a career-best 4-10.
To support Nasum’s effort, pacer Shoriful Islam took 3-29 and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan 2-18. Nasum reduced Afghanistan to 20-4 in the fifth over.
Afghanistan was unable to recover from the early setback and was eventually dismissed for 94 in 17.4 overs in response to Bangladesh’s 155-8.
Shakib also dismissed Zadran in his following over, who had top-scored for 27 runs.
Against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling, debutant Azmatullah Omarzai added 20.
Liton and Afif established a 46-run partnership against Afghanistan’s much-vaunted spin attack, which included Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Nabi.
Liton pushed a Rashid delivery too long on for a single, reaching his sixth fifty.
He was eventually eliminated by Fazalhaq Farooqi after hitting four fours and two sixes.
Farooqi and Omarzai both got two wickets in the final overs, preventing Bangladesh from scoring much.
On Saturday, the second and final T20 will be played.
