Afif, Sohan help Bangladesh post decent score

It was a terrible start for Bangladesh as they lost four wickets inside the first eight overs in the first T20I match against United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

However, Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan Sohan fought back as they made an unbeaten stand of 81 off 54 balls and helped their side to post 158 runs after losing five wickets. 

Afif notched up a half-century. He scored 77 from 55 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries and three maximums while Sohan played the anchor role and made 35 off 25 balls.

Earlier, the hosts invited the Tigers to bat first after winning the toss. However, Bangladesh could not make a good start as Sabbir Rahman who went for a duck was dismissed in the second over.

In the next over, they lost the wicket of Litton Das who missed the recently concluded Asia Cup. Litton walked off after scoring 13 off eight deliveries. He went for a slog-sweep and skied it off a thick top-edge. Junaid Siddique ran back at midwicket and took the catch.

In the fifth over, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was sent back to the pavilion. Miraz danced down and was undone by the short ball. He tried taking it on, looked to go for a pull but it rushed onto him and he sliced it up off the top edge. Zawar Farid grabbed a good return catch.

Yasir Ali who made just four was the fourth one to leave the field. He cleared the front leg looking for the lofted extra-cover drive but that did not turn much and went past the inside edge to knock over off the stump.

Mosaddek Hossain was the last wicket to fall. He tried to hit the ball but missed and the keeper broke the stumps in a flash.

Karthik Meiyappan packed up two wickets while Zawar Farid, Sabir Ali and Aayan Afzal Khan claimed one each for UAE.