Bangladesh suffered a batting collapse, managing only 221 runs before being bowled out by a fiery Afghan bowling attack at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Despite a valiant effort from skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy, the Tigers failed to convert a promising start into a competitive total, undone by a disciplined and fiery Afghan bowling attack.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh suffered early setbacks. Opener Tanzid Hasan fell for 10, edging a rising delivery from Azmatullah Omarzai to wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Soon after, Najmul Hossain Shanto, 2, gifted a simple catch to mid-off while trying to drive another Omarzai delivery, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 25 for 2.
Debutant Saif Hassan tried to stabilise the innings with a composed 26 but couldn’t convert his start. Attempting an inside-out lofted shot off Nangeyalia Kharote, he mistimed it to long-off, where Rashid Khan completed a comfortable catch, reducing Bangladesh to 53 for 3.
Towhid Hridoy and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz then came together to rebuild the innings, adding a crucial 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Hridoy looked composed during his 56 off 85 balls, while Mehidy anchored the innings with his patient 60 off 87 deliveries.
However, Hridoy’s dismissal through an unfortunate run-out—caused by a mix-up with Mehidy after a slight fumble at cover—halted Bangladesh’s recovery at 154 for 4.
After Hridoy’s departure, Mehidy continued to battle but eventually became Rashid Khan’s 200th ODI victim. The Afghan leg-spinner struck with a full delivery on middle stump that trapped Mehidy plumb in front, confirmed by DRS.
Jaker Ali, 10, and Nurul Hasan, 7, soon followed, both lbw to Rashid, as Bangladesh’s lower order crumbled under pressure.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib added a fighting 17 off 23 balls before holing out to long-on off Omarzai, who finished as Afghanistan’s best bowler with three wickets.
Ghazanfar also chipped in with two late wickets, dismissing Hasan Mahmud, 5, and Tanvir Islam, 11, as the Tigers were bowled out for 221 in 48.5 overs. Taskin Ahmed remained unbeaten on 4.
For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan was the standout performer, claiming 3 wickets for 43 runs and reaching the milestone of 200 ODI wickets.
Omarzai’s early breakthroughs and Kharote’s disciplined spell complemented Rashid’s efforts, while the fielding unit backed the bowlers with sharp catches and direct hits.
Bangladesh’s innings was marked by poor shot selection, lack of partnerships and another middle-order collapse — continuing a worrying trend in their recent ODI outings.
They will now depend heavily on their Afghan bowlers to make early inroads if they are to defend the below-par total against the Afghan batting lineup later in the evening.
NSA
