Gurbaz Century and Omarzai All-Round Brilliance Seal Series Win for Afghanistan
A spectacular all-round performance from Azmatullah Omarzai, including a blistering 70* and career-best bowling figures of 4-37, led Afghanistan to a 2-1 series victory over Bangladesh in Sharjah. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's solid century (101) laid the foundation for Afghanistan's successful chase of 244, with Mohammad Nabi providing the finishing touches. Bangladesh’s veteran Mahmudullah fought hard with a valiant 98, but his efforts were in vain as Bangladesh collapsed with quick wickets, leaving them needing to rebuild during the middle overs.
Bangladesh had no hesitation in opting to bat first on a fresh pitch in Sharjah, after their successful defense of 252 in the second ODI. After a cautious start, Tanzid Hasan benefited from two dropped catches, first by Gulbadin Naib at slip and then by Hasmatullah Shahidi. The missed chances allowed Bangladesh to get off to a brisk start, with Soumya Sarkar hitting two boundaries in a 16-run over off Fazalhaq Farooqi, as they reached 35 in five overs.
Bangladesh kept the pressure on, as offspinner Allah Ghazanfar was dispatched for two boundaries through extra-cover. However, things turned for the worse when Omarzai got Sarkar to chop on, followed by Tanzid’s dismissal in the next over. Mehidy Hasan Miraz then made a costly mistake, calling for a single that led to Zakir Hasan’s run out, and Bangladesh’s promising start crumbled to 58 for 3.
Further setbacks followed as Rashid Khan claimed the wicket of Towhid Hridoy, caught at slip by Naib. Bangladesh’s scoring slowed significantly as Mahmudullah and Mehidy adopted a more cautious approach, adding just 78 runs between the 15th and 35th overs. Although Mahmudullah was scoring at nearly a run-a-ball, Mehidy’s strike rate dipped to below 50. Mahmudullah brought up his half-century in the 40th over, with Mehidy following suit in the next. Despite a late flurry, which included a six by Mahmudullah off Mohammad Nabi, Bangladesh failed to capitalize on the final overs. Omarzai removed Mehidy and Jaker Ali before a valiant Mahmudullah was dismissed for 97 in the final over, leaving Bangladesh at 244/8.
In Afghanistan’s chase, Gurbaz and debutant Nahid Rana quickly got them off to a solid start, racing to 20 in three overs. Despite a maiden from Rana and a wicket for the debutant, when he bowled Sediqullah Atal, Afghanistan maintained steady progress. Gurbaz then took charge, dispatching Mustafizur Rahman for three sixes. Rahman struck back, dismissing Rahmat Shah caught and bowled. Although Gurbaz fought cramps and Shahidi struggled, Afghanistan continued to keep up the scoring, with Gurbaz reaching a well-crafted 50.
Gurbaz’s century, his third against Bangladesh, came at a crucial time in the chase. Afghanistan’s 100-run partnership between Gurbaz and Omarzai was achieved in just 18.3 overs, before Gurbaz holed out to deep square-leg. Bangladesh came back into the game briefly as Naib was caught behind off Rana, but Omarzai took charge. His quick-fire 50 from just 57 balls, along with a couple of crucial boundaries, kept Afghanistan in control. Mohammad Nabi's four boundaries in two overs tilted the balance firmly in Afghanistan's favor. Omarzai fittingly finished the game with a six, taking Afghanistan to a five-wicket victory with 10 balls to spare.
Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 244/8 in 50 overs (Mahmudullah 98, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 66; Azmatullah Omarzai 4-37, Mohammad Nabi 1-37)
Afghanistan 246/5 in 48.2 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 101, Azmatullah Omarzai 70*; Nahid Rana 2-40, Mustafizur Rahman 2-50)Afghanistan won by 5 wickets. x
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