BAN vs AFG | Twitter slams careless Mujeeb costing Afghanistan two golden wicket chances in three balls
The 50-over format can be a true test of a team's resolve and tenacity in times of despair, allowing themselves to keep a sinking ship afloat. However, Afghanistan failed to live up to the challenge on Sunday by spilling opportunities gifted to them by Bangladesh that could have flipped the game.
Bangladesh brought out their best in a must-win game at the Asia Cup in Lahore as they rode their way to 231/2 in 40 overs against Afghanistan. The Tigers had lost two quick wickets on either side of the powerplay and were left struggling at 63/2 at one stage but makeshift opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz and the in-form Najmul Hossain Shanto put up a batting masterclass with an unbeaten 194-run stand. The opportunities for the Afghans came far and few in between on a certified bona fide batting paradise but the contingent truly let their inexperience shine through by letting slip when the game-changing moments did arrive in the 39th over.
Gulabdin Naib was up against Shanto batting on 87 and the speedster managed to deceive his counterpart with a slower delivery clocking just 91 kph. The batter waited ages for the ball to arrive but failed to connect with his attempted slog properly and the Kookaburra seemed to be heading into the fielder's hands. However, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman who was stationed at long-on misjudged the flight of the ball and converged to it just a moment late as it dropped in front of him. Naib was visibly frustrated and let out a huge scream upon witnessing the incident. More despair was in store for him just two balls later, again courtesy of the same culprit. This time around, Shanto stroked a ball towards deep midwicket for an easy single but Mujeeb spilled the ball, tempting the southpaw to sneak another run. The error turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Miraz denied the chance to come back, stranding Shanto in the middle of the pitch, but Mujeeb once again made a mess of the opportunity with a misguided throw that sailed over Naib's head who was standing by the stumps.
The two missed chances allowed Shanto to go on and register his century, placing the side in an excellent position to haul their way to a match-winning total. Unsurprisingly, Mujeeb was at the receiving end of a lot of stick from Twitterati as well as his teammates.
Mujeeb not having a good day!
— andre bapat (@AndreBapat82195) September 3, 2023
Why would you?
Why would anybody field Mujeeb at long-off 🤣 Poor from Afghanistan #BANvAFG #BANvsAFG #AsiaCup2023 #AFGvBAN
— 🔁 (@Tutterdotcom) September 3, 2023
Great partnership
Bangladesh showing great partnership to make strong grand total.#AsiaCup23 #AFGvBAN
— meme guy (@meme2guru) September 3, 2023
A few moments ago only
Ye #mehidyhasanmiraz toh bowler tha na??? Opening batsman kab bana 🧐 #AFGvBAN #AsiaCup2023
— 100rabh (@srbh_sh) September 3, 2023
Wow
2018 Asia Cup - Mehidy Miraz opened vs IND
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) September 3, 2023
2023 Asia Cup - Mehidy Miraz opened vs AFG
Apart from these 2 matches, Mehidy never batted higher than #6 position in ODIs.#AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/sdXJxjzsdi
Quite slim
Chances of Afghanistan chasing big total are quite slim.#AFGvBAN#AsiaCup2023
— Hussain (@saddymangi) September 3, 2023
Afghani
Afghan crowd in #Lahore #AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/9U3he8d7bI
— AHMAD WALEED (@AhmadWaleed) September 3, 2023
Brilliant
Brilliant batting display by Bangladesh, they know the art of playing spin. #AFGvBAN#AsiaCup2023
— Hussain (@saddymangi) September 3, 2023
True
Bangladesh nicely placed to get 300+ with 2 set batsmen close to hundreds. #AFGvBAN #BANvsAFG
— Aditya Nandode (@TaiyouSun) September 3, 2023
Road pitches
Yaha se pta lgta hai ki #pakistan me road pitches hai.tabhi zimbu k itne run air centuries hai #AFGvBAN
— Ram (@Iam_Ram7) September 3, 2023
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