Valiant Mushfiqur Rahim Shines, but Bangladesh Falls Short against Afghanistan in 2nd ODI by 142 runs
In a thrilling encounter, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by 142 runs in the second match at Chattogram, securing their first bilateral ODI series win against the team. Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 331 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, with Rahmat Shah leading the charge with an impressive 145-run innings, supported by Ibrahim Zadran’s century and a solid opening partnership of 256 runs. Bangladesh, in response, could only manage 189 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, despite a valiant knock of 69 runs from Mushfiqur Rahim. Farooq Ahmed claimed 3 wickets for 25 runs, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman contributed with 3 wickets for 40 runs.
The visiting team’s strong score of 331-9 proved too much for the home team to match, as they faltered at 189 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 43.2 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi ensured that Bangladesh never found success in their chase, taking three wickets each, while Rashid Khan claimed two wickets. This is Afghanistan’s biggest victory against Bangladesh in ODIs.
Leaving behind the partnership of 218 runs for the second wicket against Scotland in 2010, Karim Sadiq and Mohammad Shahzad, Gurbaaz and Zadran created the largest partnership for any wicket in an ODI for Afghanistan. Bangladesh’s bowlers fought hard in the last 14 overs of Afghanistan’s innings, taking 9 wickets while conceding 75 runs. However, it was never enough after a strong opening stand.
Afghanistan Dominates Bangladesh
Gurbaaz and Zadran set the tone from the beginning, hitting eight boundaries in the first Powerplay. It included Gurbaaz’s first six, a straight hit over the bowler’s head off Mustafizur Rahman’s delivery, and a powerful pull shot for six in the eighth over. Zadran survived a close call in the next over when he couldn’t capitalize on a difficult chance at long-off from the bowling of Taijul Islam.
In the next ten overs, another flurry of eight boundaries ensued as the power-hitting became even more impressive. Gurbaaz dismissed Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz for three sixes during this phase. Their 100-run partnership was completed in the 15th over, marking Afghanistan’s first century partnership against Bangladesh since the 2019 World Cup
Gurbaaz reached his fourth ODI century with some magnificent shots. He achieved it with a single off Shakib’s delivery, after already hitting six sixes and eight boundaries in his century innings. It was a long celebration for Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper, as he soaked in the applause from the electrifying stadium.
Around the same time, Zadran hit his first six, as this partnership put pressure on Bangladesh’s bowlers. In the six overs following Gurbaaz’s dismissal in the 31st over, this duo added 69 runs. Before smashing four boundaries in Abbadot Hussein’s over, Gurbaaz had already struck a boundary and a six off Mustafizur Rahman’s bowling. His final six came off Najmul Hossain Shanto’s delivery in the 37th over, just before he became Shakib’s victim.
Afghanistan Dominates Bangladesh
Due to early wickets, Afghanistan’s batting lost its momentum as the later batsmen focused mainly on big hits. When Mushfiqur was run out before completing his run, Rahmat Shah, despite surviving an easy run-out chance, ran out Mustafizur Rahman on Abbadot’s delivery at fine leg.
In the next over, Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled captain Hashmatullah Shahidi for two runs, while in the 44th over, he had Najibullah Zadran caught at long-on. Right after completing his century, Ibrahim Zadran was caught at the top edge off Mustafizur Rahman’s delivery. Shakib got Rashid Khan stumped on six runs before she fell, unable to support Mohammad Nabi who remained unbeaten on 25 runs off 15 deliveries.
In the last 14 overs, Mustafizur, Mehidy, and Shakib restricted Afghanistan to only 41 runs while taking two wickets each. Hasan Mahmud also claimed two wickets, while Abbadot took one.
Bangladesh’s batsmen failed to capitalize on the late grip the bowlers got on the ball. Farooq Farooqi dismissed both openers, Liton Das and Mohammad Naim, in the first nine overs. The left-arm pacer troubled Liton in the fifth over as the Bangladesh captain played a pull shot to Nabi at short mid-wicket. Farooqi troubled Naim with a short delivery, leading to his stumps being disturbed.
Between these two wickets, Mujeeb bowled a series of deliveries. He got rid of Shanto, who advanced rapidly towards the off-stump, with a 100 km/h delivery aimed at the middle-stump, resulting in a dismissal.
Afterward, there was some resistance, but Rashid bowled two beautiful googly deliveries that ended Bangladesh’s hopes. The first one was a peach of a delivery that snuck past the outside edge of Taehid Hridoy’s bat. He misjudged it and got bowled at 16 runs. Afif received a similar googly on the first ball, which took the outside edge of his bat and went to slip where Nabi caught it.
Between these two wickets, Nabi took Shakib’s wicket in the 18th over. The all-rounder, who scored 25 runs off 29 deliveries, missed an arm ball that spun away from him.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan added 87 runs for the seventh wicket, but when they separated in the 37th over, Bangladesh’s chase lost momentum rapidly. Mushfiqur was the last wicket to fall when he attempted to give Farooqi his third wicket, but the catch was taken and Afghanistan secured the series victory
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