Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in Sharjah to win the ODI series thanks to a scorching 70* and career-best numbers with the ball (4-37) from Azmatullah Omarzai. Veteran Mahmudullah’s valiant 98 went in vain for Bangladesh, who needed a lengthy rebuild of middle-overs after losing four wickets quickly.
After winning the second ODI after defending 252, Bangladesh had no concerns about batting first on a brand-new surface in Sharjah. After being dropped at first slip by Gulbadin Naib and again by Hasmatullah Shahidi off consecutive overs, Tanzid Hasan rode his luck after a few calm overs.
Bangladesh quickly reached 35 in five overs after punishing the drop catches with two boundaries from Soumya Sarkar in a 16-run over off Fazalhaq Farooqi. Betpro log in and see all cricket updates.
Bangladesh kept upping the ante when Sarkar hit a four to extend the partnership to 50 runs after offspinner Allah Ghazanfar was dismissed for two boundaries through extra cover.
In the subsequent over, Tanzid did the same, driving one straight to Shahidi at point. Zakir Hasan then asked for a single before turning around, allowing Nangeyalia Kharote to run him out, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz sold him down the river.
Bangladesh lost yet another defeat after falling from 53 for 0 to 58 for 3, as Rashid Khan was able to spin a couple of deliveries past Towhid Hridoy before the batsman edged one to Naib at slip. Bangladesh became exceptionally cautious in the following phase of play due to the wickets falling continuously.
Between the 15th and 35th overs, Mahmudullah and Mehidy combined for just 78 runs, going under four runs per over and hitting just five boundaries and a six during this stretch of play. Mahmudullah scored nearly one run every ball, but Mehidy’s strike rate declined as it approached 50.
Mohammad Nabi’s spell, which included two maidens, was broken by Mahmudullah with a six. In the final ten overs, Bangladesh increased their scoring rate by running the singles hard and hitting the boundary at least four times in four of the five overs between the 42nd and 46th overs.
However, Omarzai got Mehidy to loft a short ball to mid-off, ending the 145-run stand. Jaker Ali, the wicketkeeper, was caught behind off Omarzai and did not last long. Bangladesh finished at 244 for eight as Mahmudullah, with one ball remaining on 97, was well short in his attempt to grab the second run and only found the fielder in the deep.
Afghanistan, like Bangladesh, got things going immediately, scoring 20 runs in three overs. To slow down the scoring pace, debutant Nahid Rana bowled a maiden, but Gurbaz blasted a maximum off Shoriful Islam on the onside. In his fourth over, Rana bowled Sediqullah Atal with a nip-backer that struck the top of the off-stump, finally rewarding him for his accurate bowling.
By the end of the PowerPlay, Afghanistan was 45 for 1, and Nasum and Rana were able to slow down the score. However, Gurbaz hit Mustafizur Rahman for his third six before he returned to catch and bowl his partner Rahmat Shah. Despite captain Shahidi’s struggles, Gurbaz kept the scoreboard moving by hitting a four off Mehidy and clobbing Rahman for six.
While Shahidi lost to Rahman for the third time in this series after he edged one to the wide slip fielder, Gurbaz was fortunate that Bangladesh missed a vital run-out opportunity in the 19th over. In between, Gurbaz hit a single to reach his 50th birthday.
Afghanistan still had all the aces in the chase, but Omarzai entered the act with a six off Mehidy. The batting side consistently had the necessary rate under control and could find the boundary quickly and consistently.
Despite suffering from cramps, Gurbaz mentioned his century, which was also his third against Bangladesh. Before the century was bowled out to deep square-leg, Omarzai and Gurbaz had reached a 100-run partnership in 18.3 overs.
After Naib was caught behind off Rana, giving the spinner his second wicket, Bangladesh appeared to have stormed back into the match. By this point, Omarzai was fully established and hit a boundary through the covers to reach his 57 ball 50.
Afghanistan regained the lead after a four and a six in the 44th and 45th overs, although the game was still in the balance going into the final five overs. After that, Nabi blasted four boundaries in two overs to turn the tide entirely in Afghanistan’s favour, and Omarzai appropriately ended the match with a six.
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Brief Scores: Afghanistan 246/5 in 48.2 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 101, Azmatullah Omarzai 70*; Nahid Rana 2-40, Mustafizur 2-50) defeated Bangladesh 244/8 in 50 overs (Mahmudullah 98, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 66; Azmatullah Omarzai 4-37.
