I always used to follow Shakib Al Hasan since I was a kid, says Bangladesh all-rounder Afif Hossain

He is on his first tour of India. Bangladesh all-rounder Afif Hossain was part of the historic T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday that his side won by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in a three-match series. It was Bangladesh’s first-ever win over India in the shortest format and the 20-year-old Afif contributed to it by taking Shivam Dube’s wicket and conceded just 11 runs in three overs.

A content Afif later spoke highly of Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s most prominent all-rounder who was supposed to lead them on this tour. He was handed a two-year ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a year of a suspended sentence just ahead of the tour on charges of flouting anti-corruption laws.

Recalling that Shakib sent a congratulatory message to the Bangladesh team after its memorable win, Afif Hossain said he used to follow the all-rounder since his childhood. “Shakib bhai has sent a congratulatory message to the whole team. I always used to follow him since I was a kid. Everyone is trying to perform their best in their roles. It is our team plan,” Afif was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

Afif Hossain asserts Bangladesh’s confidence is high

Afif Hossain made his international debut against Sri Lanka last year. He has played six T20Is so far scoring a fifty a fifty and has taken four wickets at an average of 11.50. He said that winning the series opener has boosted the confidence of Mahmudullah’s side though stopped short of saying whether the hosts were under pressure.

Bangladesh were also without the service of another veteran Tamim Iqbal and it was the seasoned wicket-keeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim who blasted unbeaten 60 off 43 balls to guide the Tigers overhaul the target of 149 with three balls to spare.

Afif, who said Bangladesh players were doing their best to make up for Shakib’s absence, also added that more than winning or losing the series, the visiting side was focusing on the job in hand. The crucial second game will be played in Rajkot on Thursday while Nagpur will host the final match on November 10.

[interaction id=”5dbd8c112b2176ccbd62ff67″]