Afghanistan versus Bangladesh ODI Series, 2024

2nd ODI

Shanto and Jaker as well as Nasum has shined as Bangladesh has levelled the series

Bangladesh scored 252/7 in 50 overs, where as Afghanistan scored 184 in 43.3 overs.

So, finally Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 68 runs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto erased the memories of Bangladesh’s dramatic 8 for 23 collapse from three nights ago—at least temporarily—with a composed 76, before his spinners delivered a taste of their own medicine to Afghanistan in the second ODI at Sharjah, leveling the series.

Shanto played a steady knock of 76, supported by an important lower-order contribution from debutant Jaker Ali.

Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 252, a target that their bowlers, led by Nasum Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, defended superbly in helpful conditions.

The Sharjah pitch, as in the first game, offered significant turn, and Afghanistan, asked to bowl first, relied heavily on their spinners, who delivered 38 overs for seven wickets, conceding just 144 runs.

However, Bangladesh managed to score 108 runs off the other 12 overs, a crucial difference in the final outcome.

Spin was introduced as early as the second over, with Hashmatullah Shahidi bringing Allah Ghazanfar into the attack.

Bangladesh’s opener, Tanzid Hasan, had already hit three boundaries off seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi, including a six off Ghazanfar’s full toss.

However, Ghazanfar got his revenge, inducing a mishit from Tanzid, who was dismissed at mid-on.

Despite the early wicket, Shanto and Soumya Sarkar kept the scoring rate healthy, taking Bangladesh to 59 after 10 overs.

Afghanistan’s four-pronged spin attack, however, slowed things down significantly in the middle overs.

The 71-run stand for the second wicket ended in the 19th over when Sarkar was given out LBW to Rashid Khan’s legspinner.

After a brief discussion with Shanto, he chose not to review the decision, though replays showed the ball had pitched outside leg stump.

Shanto, reaching his half-century off 75 balls, was given out LBW to Ghazanfar soon after, but successfully overturned the decision on review.

Rashid Khan then struck at the other end, cleaning up Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a googly.

From 159 for 5, Bangladesh seemed in danger of posting a subpar total, but debutant Jaker Ali, filling in for the injured Mushfiqur Rahim, played a vital cameo.

Jaker scored an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls, including three sixes and a four, to lift Bangladesh’s total.

His partnership with Nasum Ahmed (25 off 24) added 46 runs, helping Bangladesh finish strongly with 60 runs from the final six overs to set a challenging target of 252.

Afghanistan’s chase started solidly with Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah adding 52 for the second wicket after Taskin Ahmed had removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz early.

At 70 for 1 after 16 overs, Afghanistan seemed to be on track.

However, Nasum Ahmed struck with his first delivery, removing Atal for a sweep shot that was easily caught at deep backward square leg.

From there, Bangladesh tightened the noose.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi struggled, managing just 17 off 40 balls before being dismissed by a short ball from Mustafizur Rahman.

Nazmul Islam then bowled Azmatullah Omarzai for a duck before sending Rahmat Shah packing for 52 after a mix-up with Gulbadin Naib left both batters stranded at the same end.

At 119 for 5 after 30 overs, Afghanistan’s hopes of a successful chase dimmed further.

With the pitch becoming increasingly difficult to score on, Afghanistan’s lower order couldn’t mount a recovery.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed a wicket before Nasum Ahmed wrapped up the innings, securing a comfortable win for Bangladesh with over six overs to spare.