BAN VS AFG - Match 31, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

So, Afghanistan continue to be winless. They still need a bit of polishing in terms of team selections and tactics. This tournament is certainly a good learning curve for them. As for Bangladesh, they continue to prove that they aren't going to go down without fighting really hard for that semifinal spot. The path ahead won't be easy but if there's one thing we've seen from them in this World Cup, it's that never-say-die attitude. It's a wrap as far as our coverage of this game is concerned. Tomorrow is a big day, a crackerjack of a game in prospect, as arch-rivals England and Australia face-off at Lord's. Do join us for that one. Until next time, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of my mates Raju Peethala, Sriram AS, Kumar Abhisekh Das and our scorer Venky. We also had an extended cameo from Rishi Roy earlier. Goodnight folks!

Mortaza: The crowd has been really superb for us and the atmosphere has been amazing. He (Shakib) has been outstanding for us in the tournament, he keeps scoring runs in every game and also comes on to bowl whenever needed. That partnership between Mushy and Shakib was important, as the track wasn't easy to bat on. Tamim batted well too and then the finish from Mahmudullah and Mosaddek was also crucial. Obviously, that's a call for the physio to make (on Mahmudullah's calf injury) but there's a week left and I think he should be fine. If we play well, we should be able to do well (against India and Pakistan).

Naib: Obviously, the last game was tough but today, we weren't good on the field and gave 30-40 runs extra. It was a slow wicket with help for the spinners but batting wasn't that hard. Credit to Shakib, he bowled really well. He (Najibullah Zadran) is a strong hitter, so we wanted to hold him back and hence, sent Ikram up so that he could rotate the strike. But it didn't work. We have done a lot of good things in the tournament. To do well in such a tournament, you need to prepare well. We didn't have some things going our way like some key injuries and all.

Shakib, Man of the Match: It's been great (the support from fans) throughout this World Cup. They have been supporting us from the first game and luckily we have started well and they have been supporting us all through so far. Hopefully it will continue in the next few games as well. Five wickets obviously (which was special). It was important to bat deep and I had to really work hard for my 50 runs. Without Mushy (Rahim) we would not have got where we got. Others chipped in with the bat as well. Overall, it's a team effort and we know it's gonna get tough with three spinners. Before this World Cup, I was fully prepared; it's the best I have prepared and its paying off. A combination of hardwork and luck I guess (about his form in this tournament). Two more important games are coming up for us. India and Pakistan, we have to play to the best of our ability to win those matches but this win will give us a lot of confidence.

18:14 Local Time, 17:14 GMT, 22:44 IST: Clinical effort from Bangladesh. Once they got to 262 on this slightly two-paced surface, it was always going to be difficult for Afghanistan who needed someone from the top four to provide an innings of impetus. That didn't happen as the Bangladesh spinners put a squeeze on things. Naib did get a few runs but was extremely scratchy and nobody in the top order could influence the run rate. Shakib made merry as he completed the fairytale feat of a fifty and a fifer in the match. His spell virtually killed the game and although the Shenwari-Najibullah stand rekindled some hope, the asking rate had shot up beyond reach for this sort of a pitch. Earlier in the day, Bangladesh's batting effort was equally vital as their batsmen summed up the pitch really well, sizing themselves up for a 250ish total and eventually getting to 262. Rahim's gem was the highlight, as was Shakib's fifty and most of the batsmen chipped in with useful contributions. Afghanistan would rue the bizarre decision to field first on such a pitch, even if it was done with an eye on the weather.

Best bowling figures for Bangladesh in World Cup matches
5-29Shakib-al-HasanAfg (2019)
4-21Shafiul IslamIre (2011)
4-38Mashrafe MortazaInd (2007)
4-53Rubel HossainEng (2015)

Best bowling figures by spinners in World Cup matches
5-16Shahid AfridiKen (2011)
5-21Paul StrangKen (1996)
5-23Shahid AfridiCan (2011)
5-24Collins ObuyaSL (2003)
5-29Shaukat Dukanwala Net (1996)
5-29Shakib-al-HasanAfg (TODAY)

- Best figures by Bangladesh spinners in ODIs

5-29Abdur RazzakZim (2009)
5-29Shakib-al-HasanAfg (TODAY)
5-30Abdur RazzakZim (2010)
5-33Abdur RazzakZim (2006)

- Shakib-al-Hasan's best figures in ODIs
5-29AfgSouthampton (TODAY)
5-47ZimMirpur (2015)
4-16WIChattogram (2011)
4-33NZChristchurch (2010)

Saifuddin to Mujeeb, out Bowled!! Timberrrrrr!! Saifuddin seals it and Bangladesh's chances of making the semifinal continue to stay bright. Pacy and skiddy from a good length, targeting the stumps and Mujeeb couldn't get bat on it after backing away. The furniture is disturbed and that's the end of that. Mujeeb b Saifuddin 0(4)

Saifuddin to Mujeeb, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Saifuddin to Mujeeb, no run, fuller and outside off, jammed out towards the man at cover

Saifuddin to Shinwari, 1 run, miscue but falls safe over square leg. The slower bouncer and Shinwari doesn't get hold of the pull at all. Gets lucky

Saifuddin to Shinwari, FOUR, sledgehammer blow from Shinwari! Was quite full in length and he sat deep to blast it past Saifuddin. Looked destined for the boundary but Shakib (you cannot keep it out folks!!) runs across from long-off to make a desperate slide to his right. Did get hold of the ball temporarily but ended up palming it past the ropes. He is disappointed with himslf

Saifuddin to Shinwari, no run, very full and attacking the stumps, jammed out down to long-on

Saifuddin to Shinwari, no run, the slow yorker and it's well-executed but just outside off stump, Shinwari cannot dig it out

Mohammad Saifuddin [7.0-0-28-0] is back into the attack

Mustafizur to Mujeeb, no run, the hard length and Mujeeb was backing away to get inside the line, doesn't make contact

Mustafizur to Mujeeb, no run, fuller and wider outside off, hint of shape away as Mujeeb is beaten on the outside edge