Afghan spinners leave Tigers dizzy

Bangladesh made an underwhelming start after opting to bat first against Afghanistan in their Asia Cup opener at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE today.

The Tigers are 35 for four after eight overs, with Afif Hossain Dhrubo and Mahmudullah Riyad in the middle.

Earlier, Naim Sheikh got himself and Bangladesh off the mark by dispatching a Fazalhaque Farooqi full-toss towards long-on. However, the left-hander was dismissed in the next over by spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who deceived the batter with a ball that held its line to hit the middle stump.

Bijoy was quick to follow suit as Mujeeb was into the act in his second over. The right-hander was trapped in front after Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi reversed the umpire's call with a review. Bijoy left at the final delivery of the innings' fourth over, and by then the Bangladesh batters conceded 17 balls.

Bangladesh skipper counter-attacked in the fifth over, striking two well-timed shots off Naveen-ul-Haque, one through mid-wicket and the next through cover. However, Shakib too got bowled out in trying to slash at a Mujeeb in-drifter, which skidded off the surface.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan joined the party in his first over by removing Mushfiqur Rahim with a leg-before. Nabi and Co again made the right call by overturning the umpire's decision.