Afghanistan versus Bangladesh ODI Series, 2024

3rd ODI

Gurbaz’s century and Omarzai’s all-round heroics has lead the Afghanistan to series victory

 Bangladesh scored 244/8 in 50 overs, where as Afghanistan scored 246/5 in 48.2 overs.

So, finally Afghanistan beat Bangladeh by 5 wickets.

A blistering 70* and career-best bowling figures of 4-37 from Azmatullah Omarzai propelled Afghanistan to a 2-1 ODI series win over Bangladesh in Sharjah.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s century (101) laid the foundation for Afghanistan’s chase of 244, while Mohammad Nabi played a key role in sealing the victory.

Despite a fighting 98 from Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah, a series of quick wickets derailed their progress, leaving them to rebuild in the middle overs.

Bangladesh, electing to bat first on a fresh pitch in Sharjah, followed their win in the second ODI where they defended 252.

After a quiet start, Tanzid Hasan survived two dropped catches and, alongside Soumya Sarkar, helped Bangladesh to 35 in the first five overs.

But things began to unravel when Omarzai dismissed Sarkar, and Tanzid followed soon after.

Bangladesh’s middle order continued to fall apart, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz being run out in an unfortunate mix-up, and Towhid Hridoy edging to slip off Rashid Khan.

At 58 for 3, Bangladesh was forced into a cautious rebuild.

Mahmudullah and Mehidy, while steady, could only manage 78 runs from the 15th to the 35th over as they struggled to maintain the required rate.

Mahmudullah reached fifty in the 40th over, and Mehidy followed suit in the next.

However, Afghanistan’s bowlers kept tightening the screws.

Omarzai broke the 145-run partnership by dismissing Mehidy, and then trapped wicketkeeper Jaker Ali behind the stumps.

Mahmudullah fought on, reaching 97 with one ball left, but was dismissed trying to take a risky second run, leaving Bangladesh at 244 for 8.

In response, Afghanistan began their chase briskly, racing to 20 in three overs.

Despite a maiden from debutant Nahid Rana and a wicket from him, Afghanistan’s Gurbaz maintained control, hitting a six off Shoriful Islam and a further six off Mustafizur Rahman.

Afghanistan lost a few wickets, including Rahmat Shah and Hasmatullah Shahidi, but Gurbaz continued to anchor the chase.

After surviving a missed run-out chance, he brought up his half-century and later a century, despite battling cramps.

His century, his third against Bangladesh, laid the foundation for victory.

Omarzai provided valuable support, hitting a quickfire 50 off 57 balls, and a partnership of 100 runs with Gurbaz kept the required rate under control.

Although Bangladesh threatened with wickets, including the dismissal of Naib, Omarzai and Gurbaz held firm.

Nabi then added vital runs, hitting four boundaries in two overs to bring Afghanistan closer.

Omarzai fittingly finished the game with a six, securing the series win for Afghanistan.