Tigers Lose ODI Series to Afg After 5-Wicket Defeat

Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s scintillating century and Azamatullah Omarzai’s all-round performance helped Afghanistan claim their second consecutive bilateral series win against the Tigers, following their victory in Chattogram last year.

Gurbaz, in just his 46th ODI, struck his eighth century, becoming the third-fastest to reach the milestone. He smashed 101 runs off 120 balls, including five fours and seven sixes. His knock led Afghanistan to chase down Bangladesh’s target with 10 balls to spare.

Omarzai, who was instrumental with both bat and ball, took 4-37 with the ball before contributing an unbeaten 70 off 77 balls. He sealed Afghanistan's victory with a six. He added a crucial 58-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi (34* off 27 balls) for the unbroken sixth-wicket stand.

Earlier, Bangladesh posted 244/8, with Mahmudullah Riyad scoring 98 off 98 balls, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz making 66 in his 100th ODI. Mahmudullah’s knock was particularly significant, ending a lean patch where he had failed to score in his previous four innings. However, he was run out in the final over, missing out on a century.

Afghanistan’s chase got off to a rocky start when Bangladesh's pacers made early inroads. Nahid Rana, on ODI debut, struck first, removing Sediqullah Atal (14), and Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Rahman Shah (8) and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (6), leaving Afghanistan at 84/3. However, Gurbaz and Omarzai steadied the ship with a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Rana finished with 2/40, and Miraz also impressed with the ball, taking 1/35. But a late surge from Nabi and Omarzai powered Afghanistan across the line.

Bangladesh’s innings was marked by a series of frustrating dismissals. Openers Tanzid Hasan (19) and Soumya Sarkar (24) both got starts but failed to capitalize. Zakir Hasan, playing his first ODI in a year, was run out for a duck. Bangladesh was reduced to 58/3 before Miraz and Mahmudullah combined for a 145-run partnership to give the innings a semblance of stability.

Mahmudullah’s 98 was built on cautious but aggressive stroke play, including seven fours and three sixes. However, Bangladesh’s middle order faltered as Omarzai struck again, dismissing Miraz (66) and then removing Jaker Ali Anik and Nasum Ahmed in quick succession.

Despite the valiant efforts of Mahmudullah, Bangladesh fell short of the 250-run mark, unable to finish strongly in the death overs. The Tigers will now look to regroup and address the issues that have plagued their batting and fielding throughout the series.

This defeat marks a series loss for Bangladesh, who will hope to bounce back in the upcoming fixtures.