2019 World Cup, Match 31: All-round hero Shakib keeps Bangladesh in the hunt

Shakib Al Hasan's stellar all-round show on Monday helped Bangladesh stay in the race for a World Cup playoff spot. They beat Afghanistan by 62 runs in their 2019 ICC World Cup group stage encounter at Southampton's Rose Bowl and Shakib scored 51 off 69 balls before becoming the first Bangladeshi player to record a five-wicket haul in the tournament's history.

Shakib was outdone by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim in the batting department. Mushfiqur scored 83 off 87 balls and his partnership of 61 with Shakib set the foundation for Bangladesh's total. 

Mujeeb Ur Rahman was Afghanistan's highest wicket-taker with three scalps which were those of opener Liton Das, Shakib and Soumya Sarkar. 

Rahim, who too has been in sublime form like Shakib, played another valuable knock for his team. Had he not fired, Bangladesh would have struggled to go beyond 225. His innings comprised four boundaries and a six.

Chasing a target of 263, Afghanistan were limited to a total of 200. They got substantial partnerships from their top order and were 104/2 at the start of the 29th over when Shakib dismissed Gulbadin Naib (47) and the dangerous Mohammad Nabi (0) off alternate deliveries.

Chasing 263 was always going to be tough for a fragile Afghanistan batting line-up but 48 for no loss in 10 overs raised hopes that the Gulbadin Naib-led side might just get its first win of the tournament after six losses in a row.