Watch: Debutant Shamim Hossain flicked his first ball in the format for a no-look six in the 47th over of Bangladesh’s innings against Afghanistan at Lahore on September 3.
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Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh put up a much better display than they had against Sri Lanka in their first match of the 2023 Asia Cup. They made three changes to their XI, one of which was the inclusion of left-handed middle-order batter Shamim Hossain. Having debuted in 2021, Shamim had played 17 T20Is, but this was his international game in the 50-over format.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto scored twin centuries, stitching a 194-run third-wicket partnership that laid the platform for Bangladesh to reach 334-5, their third-highest ODI score. Mehidy retired hurt with cramps, while Shanto was run out on 278-3 in the 45th over.
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Bangladesh’s middle order provided the strong finish they needed. Mushfiqur Rahim scored 25 in 15 balls, Shakib Al Hasan 32 in 18, and Shamim a six-ball 11 at No.6.
The first ball Shamim faced in ODI cricket was from Gulbadin Naib, a length ball on the pads. Shamim flicked the ball in a languid swing of the blade, depositing it over backward square leg for six.
Although he wasn’t able to hit any more boundaries and perished on the last ball of the 49th over, the one boundary he hit would have left enough of an impression in the minds of the viewers.
