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Afghanistan waltz to series-opening victory

The always-entertaining Mohammad Shahzad and the ruthless Rashid Khan led the Afghans to a T20 win over Bangladesh

Leg-spin sensation Rashid Khan led an inspired spin attack to help Afghanistan trounce Bangladesh by 45 runs in the first Twenty20 international on Sunday.

Rashid claimed three wickets with his wily leg-spin to help bowl out Bangladesh for 122 as hosts Afghanistan took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series in the northern Indian city of Dehradun.

Fellow teenage tweaker Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck with the first ball of the innings to trap Tamim Iqbal lbw for nought.

Fellow spinner Mohammad Nabi soon joined in to claim the two crucial wickets of Liton Das, for 30, and star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, for 15, as Bangladesh were reduced to 3-64.

Rashid then broke Bangladesh's back with two successive strikes in his very first over to derail the chase.

The 19-year-old returned impressive bowling figures of 3-13 in his three overs. Paceman Shapoor Zadran also took three wickets including Mahmudullah's prized scalp for 29.

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Cult hero Mohammad Shahzad had an eventful game, top-scoring for the Afghans before celebrating Shakib's dismissal with a audacious dance.

The portly wicketkeeper then collided with two teammates as Usman Ghani somehow held onto a skied catch off Mahmudullah. 

Image Id: 64E58C715FF34AE495EA2C378559208A Image Caption: Three Afghanistan fielders converge on the high ball // GTV

Shahzad's 37-ball 40 helped Afghanistan post 8-167 after being put into bat first.

Samiullah Shenwari, who hit an 18-ball 36, and Shafiqullah Shafiq, who made 24 off 8 balls, provided a late blitz to take the attack to the opposition bowlers.

Paceman Abul Hasan and off-spinner Mahmudullah took two wickets each.

The Asghar Stanikzai-led Afghanistan, who are tuning up for their debut Test against India on June 14, next take on the visitors on Tuesday at the same venue.