How Bangladesh batsmen Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque started their opening partnership in the World Cup first match against Afghanistan, I thought Bangladesh would get a good foundation. But after 47-run partnership, they back to the pavilion within a short time keeping the team on pressure.

Controlling the pressure, Soumya Sarkar-Mahmudullah served the team timely 50-run partnership despite getting much success.

Later Shakib Al Hasan-Mushfiqur Rahim partnership paved way for a big lead for Bangladesh against Afghans.

If the Shakib-Mushfique’s fifth wicket partnership could not be steady, the team would fall in big trouble. They displayed a prodigious sensible responsibility for the team. It’s an outstanding batting presentation. We also expected the performance from them at that time.

There are many instances that Shakib and Mushfique guarded the team in disaster. Their innings, in the team’s trouble, in the first match of World Cup really enthralled me.

The collection of 267 runs is not so bad. But it would be better if they could score more.

Afghanistan bowlers’ bowling with line and length barred batsmen to score big. Mirwais Shah, Shapoor Zadran and Hamid Hasan did very good bowling in their debut World Cup match. 

The Bangladesh bowler, specially skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan, did their work to seal their first victory by 105 runs in the World Cup.

Minhajul Abedin Nannu: Selector of Bangladesh Cricket Board and former captain of Bangladesh cricket team.

Translated by Sheikh Khalil Sohel