New Delhi: Afghanistan clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1 against Bangladesh after defeating them in the decider third ODI by five wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Bangladesh put up a tough fight but the hosts had some other plans as they took their time and powered their side over the line with a successful and daunting run-chase. Wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a century while his compatriot Azmatullah Omarzai shone with a fifty during the second innings.
The series loss is another dent on Bangladesh cricket which has been on a dismal run of losing series (home or away) in the last few months. Bangladesh set a target of 245 for the Afghans which at first seemed to be quite intimidating. But opener Gurbaz kept his end firm and didn’t leave the crease until he scored a 101 off 120 balls laced with five fours and seven sixes. It was his eighth century in ODIs. His fellow opener Sediqullah Atal could manage 14 off 18 balls.
𝐀𝐅𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝟐-𝟏 🙌#AfghanAtalan put on a remarkable batting performance to successfully chase down the target and secure a 2-1 series victory in the three-match ODI series against @BCBtigers. 👏#AFGvBAN | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/8uYHtrODIB
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 11, 2024
Gurbaz developed very little partnerships with Rahmat Shah (8 off 22) and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (6 off 21) but stitched a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket with Omarzai (70* off 77; 3 fours, 5 sixes), who turned out to be the second hero for Afghanistan. After Gurbaz’s departure, Omarzai fulfilled the job for his team with veteran Mohammad Nabi (34* off 27; 5 fours), who was an excellent support for him from the other end.
Both remained unbeaten and it was Omarzai who hit a massive six as the winning runs to seal victory in 48.2 overs with the score at 246/5. Nahid Rana and Mustafizur Rahman picked two wickets apiece while stand-in skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz had one to his credit. Najmul Hossain Shanto was ruled out of the third ODI due to a groin strain, therefore Mehidy took over the reins.
8th ODI Hundred for @RGurbaz_21, his 3rd against @BCBtigers and his 3rd in Sharjah! 💯💯
Terrific knock, Gurbaza! 🔥#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvBAN | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/4p7Ru9gzKK
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) November 11, 2024
Bangladesh post fighting 244
Bangladesh opted to bat first in the decider game, hoping that they could restrict Afghanistan during the run chase. The start was decent, with openers Tanzid Hasan (19 off 29; 3 fours) and Soumya Sarkar (24 off 23; 3 fours) adding 53 for the opening wicket. A huge mix-up in the middle cost Zakir Hasan (4 off 7) his wicket while skipper Mehidy rebuilt the innings with veteran player Mahmudullah.
The likes of Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Nasum Ahmed, and Shorful Islam had single-digit scores and Bangladesh could only go beyond the 200-run mark due to Mehidy and Mahmudullah, who batted pretty well. Mehidy made 66 runs off 119 balls, hitting four fours in the process while it was heartbreaking for Mahmudullah who missed his century by just two runs. He was run out on the final delivery of the first innings while batting at run-a-ball 98 (seven fours, three sixes). They could muster 244/8 in 50 overs. For Afghanistan, Omarzai bagged four wickets, while Nabi and Rashid Khan picked a wicket each.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz slammed a century while Azmatullah Omarzai starred with an all-round performance for Afghanistan against Bangladesh to beat them by five wickets in the third ODI and clinch the series 2-1 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
