Bangladesh’s Disappointing Bowling as Afghanistan Clinches Series 2-1
Bangladesh: 244/8 in 50 overs Afghanistan: 246/5 in 48.2 overs Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets
In the 39th over of Afghanistan’s innings, Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed centurion Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was caught by Zakir Hasan at square leg while attempting a six.
However, even with this breakthrough, Afghanistan was still in a strong position, needing 61 runs from 11.2 overs.
Soon after, Nahid Rana removed Gulbadin Naib for 1 in the 41st over, briefly reigniting Bangladesh’s hopes. But despite the tense atmosphere, Bangladesh’s bowlers couldn’t take further wickets, and Afghanistan won the match with 10 balls to spare, securing victory by 5 wickets.
Before the match in Sharjah, the pitch report suggested that scores of 230+ could be competitive. Bangladesh, scoring 244, was hopeful for a win. But Afghanistan, led by Gurbaz’s century and an unbeaten fifty from Azmatullah Omarzai, chased down the target to win the match and the series 2-1.
Afghanistan had lost three wickets with 84 runs on the board, but a 100-run fourth-wicket partnership between Gurbaz and Omarzai laid the foundation for the victory. Gurbaz scored 101 off 120 balls with five fours and seven sixes before being dismissed, while Omarzai remained unbeaten on 70 runs from 77 balls, with three fours and five sixes. Omarzai sealed the win and the series by hitting a six off Shariful Islam. Mohammad Nabi finished the chase alongside him, contributing an unbeaten 34.
Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 244/8 after opting to bat. Openers Tanzid Tamim (19) and Soumya Sarkar (23) provided a promising start with a 53-run partnership. Bangladesh reached 50 without loss, hinting at a big total, but a sudden collapse saw them go from 53/0 to 58/3.
After Soumya’s dismissal for 23 and Tanzid’s for 19, Zakir Hasan was run out shortly after. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahmudullah then steadied the innings with a 145-run partnership in 188 balls. Miraz was eventually dismissed for 66 off 119 balls. Mahmudullah, batting through muscle strain, scored a resilient 98 off 98 balls, with seven fours and three sixes, falling just two runs short of his century.
Omarzai was Afghanistan’s most effective bowler, taking 3 wickets for 37 runs.
