Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi thanks fans after historic win

Mohammad Nabi

Afghanistan created history on Saturday when they defeated Bangladesh by 32 runs in Asia Cup after having successfully defended 254/6 in 50 overs. This is Afghanistan’s first win over a Test-playing nation.

Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi said that Bangladesh’s bowling till 25th over was pretty good. Nabi praised Samiullah Shenwari and Asghar Stanikzai for the 164-run partnership for the 6th wicket, which was the highest partnership of the match.

“They bowled very well till 25th over, and the last partnership was brilliant. It was a good partnership,” says Nabi.

Though Afghanistan fielders dropped some catches, Nabi was pretty happy with the bowling and fielding performances. “Our boys bowled brilliantly in the first few overs and fielded well. We missed some catches towards the end,” Nabi added.

Nabi also thanked all their fans for their support and prayers – “Fans and the whole country must be celebrating and inshallah we’ll try to do even better in the coming matches. Our fans have always prayed for us and they love us so I’d like to thank them,” Nabi said.

The Player of the match was awarded to Samiullah Shenwari for his unbeaten 81 off 69 balls which included 10 fours and a six.

“It was a team effort…from the coach, manager and everyone. We wanted to bat till 50 overs and I did. 150 was the big partnership, our plan was to just stay at the wicket and when we took 107 runs from the last 10 overs, that was the main point,” the Man of the Match winner Samiullah Shenwari said.

“I have learnt legspin from the beginning and have been working hard with the coaches,” Samiullah Shenwari concluded.