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B�desh beat Afghanistan by 62 runs

By The Assam Tribune

SOUTHAMPTON, June 24: Shakib Al Hasan came up with a special all-round performance, steering Bangladesh to a 62-run win over Afghanistan here on Monday and keeping their semifinal hopes alive in the World Cup.

Mushfiqur Rahim (83 off 87 balls) and Shakib (51 off 69) showed their class on a difficult surface to help Bangladesh post a competitive 262 for seven after Afghanistan opted to field at the Hampshire Bowl.

Shakib, who also became the tournament�s leading run getter on way to his half-century, was also exceptional with the ball. The left-arm spinner ended with figures of five for 29 for in 10 overs, his best in ODI cricket.

With this incredible effort, Shakib also became only the second cricketer after India�s Yuvraj Singh to score a 50 and take a five-wicket haul in a World Cup match.

Chasing 263 was always going to be tough for a fragile Afghanistan batting line-up but 48 for no loss in 10 overs raised hopes that the Gulbadin Naib-led side might just get its first win of the tournament after six losses in a row.

However, the batting fell apart after Shakib removed Rahmat Shah (24) and from 49 for no loss, Afghanistan were reeling at 132 for six. The seventh wicket stand for 56 runs between Samiullah Shinwari (49 not out) and Najibullah Zadran (23) saved them the blushes. Afghanistan were eventually all out for 200 in 47 overs.

Bangladesh�s third win in seven games took them to seven points and if they win their remaining fixtures against India and Pakistan, the Mashrafe Mortaza-led unit will end the league stage with 11 points.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 262/7, Mushfiqur Rahim 83 (87), Shakib Al Hasan 51 (69); Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3/39

Afghanistan 200, Samiullah Shinwari 49 (51)*, Gulbadin Naib 47 (75); Shakib Al Hasan 5/29. � Agencies

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