AFG VS BAN ODI

Right then, a rain-filled day in Chattogram has come to an end and it is the visitors, Afghanistan who have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-game series. The next game will be played at the very same ground on Saturday, the 8th of July and we can expect another enticing contest as Bangladesh would look to level it all up. That game will begin at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT) but our coverage will begin much sooner. Do join us then. Take care and goodbye!

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan says that the bowlers bowled as per the plan, and that helped the side. Goes on to credit Mohammad Nabi for the catch he took and that changed the game a bit as well. Adds that the way Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran started with the bat, they set the perfect platform for others and they plan it out the best for the team. Mentions that the injury to Fazalhaq Farooqi is not serious and the scan will confirm his availability for the second game.

Fazalhaq Farooqi is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar display with the ball. Farooqi starts by thanking the almighty and says that they won the game and he was able to perform. Adds that he wanted to bowl in the right areas and fortunately he was able to do that.

Bangladesh skipper, Tamim Iqbal says the weather and other things should not be blamed for the side's bad performance in this game. Adds that they lost back-to-back wickets to false strokes and that has hurt the team as 160-odd is not enough. Mentions that Towhid Hridoy has done well with the bat each and every time he has batted and we are pleased with that.

Bangladesh will be disappointed not just with the rain but their performance as a batting unit as after a breezy start, they let go of their concentration and gave away a few soft wickets. Towhid Hridoy was the only batter who put up a fight but with wickets tumbling around him, he couldn't accelerate. They did bowl well though and even though they didn't get early wickets, they did keep the scoring rate in check. On the contrary, a couple of early wickets would have put pressure on the Afghan batters and they might have been behind the DLS score but that wasn't the case. The hosts will now look to bounce back in the next game and level the series.

UPDATE 10.07 pm IST (4.37 pm GMT) - We have official confirmation and Afghanistan have won by 17 runs on the DLS method! A match that was interrupted by rain throughout its course and it has concluded in Afghanistan's favour. However, even without the rain, the visitors did seem like the better side. After a wayward side with the ball, they soon got wickets at regular intervals and kept on the pressure, eventually restricting Bangladesh to 169/9 in 43 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi starred with three wickets but the spinners bowled really well too. Coming to their batting, the openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran made a watchful start and added 54 vital runs for the first wicket. They did lose a couple of wickets but Ibrahim Zadran stayed unbeaten on 41 and ensured that his side were ahead of the DLS score.c

UPDATE 10.01 pm IST (4.31 pm GMT) - Oh, dear! The drizzle is back on and the ground staff are now bringing all of the covers back on. This might just be the telling blow for this game, we hope it isn't but it does look like it.

UPDATE 9.52 pm IST (4.22 pm GMT) - We have news from the ground! The revised target is now 111 runs in 29 overs and Afghanistan now require 28 runs more to win in 7.2 overs. Play is scheduled to restart at 10.05 pm IST (4.35 pm GMT) barring no further rain. Oh, no! Just a minute or so after sharing the revised conditions, the blue cover is back on the pitch which means either it has started drizzling again or the ground staff expect some more rain in the coming minutes or maybe it's just for precaution. A bit frustrating for the players and the fans. Stay tuned for more updates.

UPDATE 9.38 pm IST (4.08 pm GMT) - The rain has subsided to a very light drizzle it seems and the officials are out in the middle having a chat with the ground staff. Fingers crossed we get some play in and get through to the end of this match. And, the covers are slowly coming off as well which is a good sign. Stick around as we should have an official word soon.

UPDATE 9.28 pm IST (3.58 pm GMT) - The rain continues to fall in Chattogram and we are already losing more and more overs. Afghanistan won't mind this but Bangladesh would want a prompt restart which seems unlikely at the moment. Stick around for further updates.

UPDATE 9.07 pm IST (3.37 pm GMT) - It has been this kind of a day today. It has started to drizzle yet again and the umpires have asked the ground staff to cover the wicket yet again. The DLS score at this point, i.e., after 21.4 overs would be 66 runs for the loss of 2 wickets and Afghanistan are well in front of that, which means if no more play is possible, they will win. Stay tuned as we will bring updates for you soon.

Taskin Ahmed comes from around the wicket and digs in a short one over middle. Hashmatullah Shahidi rides the bounces well and pulls it toward deep mid-wicket for a run.

Back of a length over off stump, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to shuffle again but cramps himself for room instead.

Full and on middle at over 140 clicks, Hashmatullah Shahidi has a slight shuffle to the off side and clips it away in front of the man at deep mid-wicket for a brace.

On a hard length and around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi stays back and keeps it out on the off side.

FOUR! This is full on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran leans on a bit and flicks it wide of mid on for a boundary. A fruitful over for Afghanistan as 9 runs come off it.

Dug in a bit short and outside off, this is pulled away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Good length around off, angling it in a long way. Hashmatullah Shahidi hops and looks to play at it but is beaten on the inside edge.