FROM MIRPUR: Bangladesh are on the way to make a strong target for Afghanistan in their first match of One Day International (ODI) series at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday (September 25).

With two half centuries from Tamim Iqbal (80) and Mahmudullah (62) tigers scored 196 runs for three after the 37th over.

After 10 months of break for Bangladesh started the match around 2:30pm in the stadium with great expectation.

In ranking, Bangladesh team is way ahead than Afghanistan, however, the winning for the guest country by 66 runs in a preparation match against BCB Eleven in Fatullah on Friday (September 23) made them confident.

Bangladesh Squad: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed.

Afghanistan Squad: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Shabir Noor, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Mirwais Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran and Naveen-ul-Haq.

BDST: 1726 HRS, SEP 25, 2016
BD/RR/SMS

*** Bangladesh facing Afghan bowlers