From 6-45 to victory: record-breaking win for Bangladesh

Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan combined for a stunning 174-run partnership for the seventh wicket as Bangladesh recovered from 6-45 to beat Afghanistan by four wickets in the first one-day international in Chattogram.

Chasing 216 to win, Bangladesh lost their top six batters inside 12 overs of the run chase, with Shakib Al Hasan (10) the only man to reach double figures.

But with the match seemingly heading Afghanistan's way, Afif (93no) and Mehidy (81no) both produced career-best scores to guide Bangladesh to victory with seven balls to spare.

The partnership between Afif and Mehidy is the second highest in ODI history for the seventh wicket and the pair scored almost 80 per cent of their team's total, the highest contribution ever from a team's batters below No.6 in the order.

It is also the first time in ODI history that a team has won a match despite their top six contributing as few as 30 runs between them.

"Honestly, I did not believe we could win after (being) 6-45," Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal said. 

"But I'm very proud and happy for the two for their incredible innings. Afghanistan have a brilliant attack, but Mehidy and Afif did well."

Afghanistan's spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi – described by Tamim as world's best – could take only two wickets between them as Afif and Mehidy kept them at bay.

Playing only his second ODI, paceman Fazalhaq Farooqi (4-54) had left Bangladesh reeling at 4-18 as Afghanistan looked on track to quickly close out the game.

Mujeeb (1-32) then removed Shakib before Rashid (1-30) claimed the wicket of Mahmudullah with a half tracker, edging Afghanistan closer to their seventh-straight ODI victory.

But Afif and Mehidy rose to the challenge when it mattered most.

Afif's 93 not out is the highest by a Bangladesh No.7 batter in ODIs, while Mehedy's unbeaten 81 is the highest score by any No.8 batter in a successful ODI run chase.

Najibullah Zadran had earlier struck a superb 67 off 84 balls to give Afghanistan's total respectability after they'd won the toss and decided to bat.

Mustafizur Rahman finished with 3-35 while Shakib, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam took two wickets each.

Bangladesh are hosting Afghanistan for three ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals, with the next ODI being on Friday.

Highest partnerships in ODIs after loss of sixth wicket

177 – Jos Buttler & Adil Rashid, Eng v NZ, Birmingham, 2015

174* – Afif Hossain & Mehidy Hasan, Ban v Afg, Chattogram, 2022

138* – Andrew Hall & Justin Kemp, SA v Ind, Cape Town, 2006

138 – Jos Buttler & Chris Woakes, Eng v SL, Nottingham, 2016

132 – Angelo Mathews & Lasith Malinga, SL v Aus, MCG, 2010