New Delhi: Senior Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah played a determined knock during the third and final One-Day International match against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Batting at No.6, the 38-year-old scored run-a-ball 98 to propel the visitors to a sizeable score of 244 for 8 in the stipulated 50 overs after captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz elected to bat first during the first innings.
Mahmudullah pummelled seven fours and three sixes to lace his innings with some powerful strokes. He smashed two sixes against star Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and hit one over deep mid-wicket off Fazalhaq Farooqi’s bowling. He was involved in a crucial 145-run partnership with captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Mehidy also played a sluggish knock of 66 runs from 119 balls, grinding his way in the middle to bail avoid Bangladesh from stuttering after four wickets were down in the 15th over with just 72 runs on the board. Mahmuddullah took the responsibility of scoring runs at pace when he joined Mehidy at the crease.
Mahmudullah and Mehidy Hasan Miraz shoulder Bangladesh past 200 against Afghanistan in the ODI series decider 🏏
📝 #AFGvBAN: https://t.co/Bt1r2JClif | 📸: @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/oev8dl36ua
— ICC (@ICC) November 11, 2024
How Mahmudullah missed his century
Just before the final over of the Bangladesh innings, Mahmudullah was batting at 96. He got off the strike on the first ball of the over by Azmatullah Omarazai, but it was through leg-byes. He was back on strike with three balls left in the innings. A single came on the fourth ball and Shoriful Islam ensured to bring the senior batter on strike for the final delivery, giving him the opportunity to reach his fifth ODI hundred.
However, Mahmudullah hit the ball towards the backward square-leg and subsequently attempted for two runs. Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz was quick to collect the ball and dislodge the bails at the striker’s end, leaving the batter short of his crease. Consequently, Mahmudullah was run out on 98.
The Bangladesh player became the 16th Asian player overall to get out in the 90s. He joined the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Marvan Atapattu, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Aravinda de Silva, Mudassar Nazar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Kris Srikkanth, Aamer Sohail, Asanka Gurunsinha, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Rameez Raja, Saeed Anwar and Shoaib Malik in the not so praiseworthy list.
Batting at No.6, the 38-year-old scored run-a-ball 98 to propel the visitors to a sizeable score of 244 for 8 in the stipulated 50 overs after captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz elected to bat first during the first innings. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
