‘I think we adjusted well, we read the conditions’ - Head coach Jonathan Trott on Afghanistan's performance after defeating Bangladesh in first ODI

The Afghanistan cricket team are looking to dominate the Bangladesh side after defeating the hosts in the first ODI at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram. Jonathan Trott, the coach of visiting side has credited his spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi for their side's good showing in the first game. Afghanistan's spin trio together picked five wickets which propelled the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side to win the rain-marred game by 17 runs via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method. 

While in the game, the Tamim Iqbal-led side batted first and posted 169/9 in 43 overs, Towhid Hridoy was the lone warrior for the home side, as he scored 51 runs. In the run chase, the visitors scored 83/2 in 21.4 overs post which rain stopped the game. Consequently, Afghanistan were found ahead of Bangladesh as per DLS calculations which handed them a win in the first ODI.

"Our seamers didn't bowl well with the new ball, but then our spinners were excellent," Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo. 

"We didn't expect the wicket to have as much uneven bounce as it did. It is surprising. Normally here in Chattogram, it goes through a little bit more. I think we adjusted well. We read the conditions. We played some good cricket,” he further added. 

Trott in his statement appreciated his spin attack for bowling in pressure situations like powerplays. Furthermore, he also commended the Afghani spinners as they have scalped the most wickets (50) while averaging against Bangladesh the best among all the teams. 

I think they are the best spin combination in the world: Towhid

After the first game, Bangladesh’s star batter, Towhid Hridoy, revealed that this was the first time he had ever faced Rashid Khan. Interestingly, he also mentioned about having played against Mujeeb during his under-19 days. Notably, both Towhid and Mujeeb also play for the same team in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Moreover, the Bangladeshi batter also went on to compliment the visitors by saying that they have the best spin attack in the world.

"This was the first time that I faced Rashid. I have played Mujeeb in Under-19 cricket. We were also in the same team in BPL," Hridoy said.

"I played Nabi bhai in the BPL. I think they are the best spin combination in the world. You can play spin better against any team after you do well against them. I was talking to Shakib [Al Hasan] bhai about it too. It was a bit challenging. We have to do better than we did today [in the first ODI],” he concluded.