Innings against Afghanistan among best, says Imrul Kayes

Despite smashing his way to a career-best 144 that led the Tigers to a 28-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first ODI on Sunday, Imrul Kayes feels his innings against Afghanistan was one of his best.

Both of the innings proved very important for Bangladesh as Imrul rescued his team from catastrophe and laid firm groundwork for his win.

But his innings against Afghanistan is still closest to Imrul’s heart because of the overall circumstances of the match and the stress.

Imrul was hurriedly called in halfway through the Asia Cup though he was not on the squad and batted in the middle order and one down.

He played the deadly Afghan spinners, including Rashid Khan, which became a perilous task after the Bangladesh team lost 5 wickets for 87 runs. Imrul and Mahmudullah dragged the team to 128 runs on the sixth wicket partnership. Imrul played to the end and scored 72 and, thanks to his boundary on the last ball of the innings, Bangladesh won the match by 3 runs.

Hence, the innings against Afghanistan became Imrul’s favourite. However, he does not downplay the fact that 144 runs off 140 balls were among his career-best.

“I’ll consider it as one of my career-best but the innings against Afghanistan was something special for me. It was challenging to play in an event like the Asia Cup all of a sudden. That’s why I feel I played my best there.”

“I played well today. This could be a turning point for me. Today’s inning was necessary. If you play well, that becomes fruitful for your team. Maybe Bangladesh has moved to a safer situation because of today’s innings.”

The confidence gained from the match against Afghanistan boosted him to play against Zimbabwe, said Imrul.

“I have learned a lot from the match against Afghanistan. I realised my own capacity. I was recalling that innings as I was batting today. I believed that I could do well in a cosy situation as I had already done well in a challenging