Afif stars as Bangladesh beat UAE in close game

BCB

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Afif Hossain's unbeaten 77 helped Bangladesh a seven-run victory in the series opener against United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Sunday.
Shoriful Islam ended the UAE victory chase with wickets from consecutive balls in the last over as the hosts was trying to overhaul Bangladesh's 158-5, the hosts started the last over needing 11 runs with two wickets in hand.
Shoriful, a 21-year-old left-arm pace bowler, gave up three runs from the first two balls before striking. He dismissed Aayan Afzal Khan, caught by Mosaddek Hossain, for 25.
The batter crossed, but off the next ball Shoriful had Junaid Siddique caught by Mohammad Saifuddin for 11.

With a 50-run 22-ball second-wicket stand, Chirag Suri (39) and Viritya Arvind (19) had put the UAE in a position to challenge.
However, Shoriful (3-21), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3-17), and Mustafizur Rahman (2-31) stopped the hosts from gaining momentum.
UAE won the toss and fielded. They were rewarded as Sabir Ali, Zawar Farid and Aayan Afzal Khan all struck in the first 4.4 overs to reduce Bangladesh to 35-3.
Karthik Meiyappan, who finished with 2-33, then easily removed Yasir Ali and Mosaddek Hossain, leaving Bangladesh at 77-5 after 11 overs.
But Afif Hossain scored 77 and captain Nurul Hasan 35 in an unbroken 81-run partnership to lead Bangladesh to 158-5.
Afif kept the innings going with 77 off 55 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
Nurul had the same strike rate as his partner and faced 25 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.