Mirpur (Bangladesh), March 5 (IANS): Indian bowlers, again struggling to wrap up the tail, allowed Afghanistan to make a great recovery from 97 for seven before being all out for 159 runs in 45.2 overs in their last league match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here Wednesday.

With their hopes of entering the final already over, India had only pride to play for in what is their maiden ODI encounter against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan skipper Samiullah Shenwari was the top scorer with a fine 50 while opening batsman Noor Ali Zadran (31) and Mohammad Shehzad (22) were the other two batsmen who could get to double figures.

Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja (4/30) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3/31) shared seven wickets among them.

Put in, the Afghans made a brisk start despite losing opener Nawroz Mangal (5) in the sixth over. Zadran's brisk 35-ball 31 that had six fours kept the runs flowing freely in the first 10 overs.

Double strikes by Jadeja in the 13th over in three balls to remove Rahmat Shah (5) and Zadran triggered a batting collapse that left Afghanistan struggling at 83 for six. But heroic knocks from Shahzad and Shenwari helped them stave off the ignominy of getting bowled out for less than 100 runs.