The representatives of red and green showed all their ability to win the series against Afghanistan. But Bhagyadevi stood by Afghanistan on this day. Afghanistan won the third ODI by playing better cricket than Bangladesh and won the series by 2-1.
Afghanistan won the match by 5 wickets without giving any chance to Bangladesh in their familiar Dera. After winning the toss in Sharjah and batting first, Bangladesh scored 244 runs for 8 wickets. In reply, Afghanistan reached the target with 10 balls to spare and maintained their superiority superbly. In the last series between the two teams, Afghanistan won the series 2-1 in Bangladesh. They once again smiled victory in the bilateral series.
Bangladesh picked up 72 runs for 4 wickets in the first 15 overs. Going deeper, Bangladesh were 53 runs in 8.3 overs when Soumya Sarkar (24) was played on and returned to the crease. In the next over, another opener Tanjid Hasan (19) returned to Sajghar for the same run. Zakir Hasan (4) who got a chance in the XI instead of Shant gave a long walk to the dressing room for 58 runs. Run out with Mirage due to misunderstanding. Bangladesh were 72 in 14.4 overs when Tawheed Hriday (7) failed yet again and got out. rn
From there, Miraj and Mahmudullah made a partnership of 145 runs off 188 balls. The pair will get letter marks considering the team’s situation, Afghanistan’s attack and inexperience. But the way the two batsmen have batted in opposite roles raises questions.
Mirage got his fifty off 106 balls. Which is the slowest fifty by any Bangladeshi batsman since 2005. On the other hand, Mahmudullah scored a fifty off 63 balls. The batting style of the two looked like they were batting on different wickets. Mirage scored 66 off 119 balls with only 4 boundaries. Mahmudullah could not make more than 98 runs despite trying hard for a century at the end of the innings. After finishing the innings with 7 fours and 3 sixes, Akash returned with disappointment.
But this innings of his has definitely brought relief. The runs in the last four ODI innings were 0, 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Mahmudullah was under great pressure. Added to his hamstring injury. At the beginning of the innings, when he was 4 runs, the hip pain started. Strained hip while playing a shot on the backfoot. He started batting again with a painkiller on the field.
But the inertia was not cut. Running between the wickets continued to be a problem with a hamstring injury after the fifty. However, the experienced batsman did not stop trying. There is no deficiency in the application. In his sparkling innings of 98 runs, Bangladesh got capital of 244 runs.
Afghanistan was also waiting for Azmatullah Omarzai’s Fifer. There was a chance till the last ball of the innings. But he has to be satisfied with 4 wickets for 37 runs in 7 overs. He was also the best bowler of the team.
Bangladesh in search of bowling wickets got their first breakthrough in the eighth over. Anointed pacer Nahid was bowled by the runner Sediqullah Atal. Pacer Taskin sent back Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the new ball in the last two matches and made Bangladesh happy at the start. Taskin was not there today. Even Gurbaz was left gasping for breath. He batted with such ease that he got the taste of the eighth century of his career. Reached the three-figure milestone with 7 sixes and 5 fours off 117 balls.
Bangladesh did not retain two experienced Rahmat Shah (8) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (6). Losing 3 wickets for 84 runs, Afghanistan returned to the match by the fourth wicket. G
Captain Miraj broke this pair of four-six runs. When Afghanistan were 61 runs away from victory, the Bangladesh skipper trapped the centurion Gurbaz on the boundary. Nahid Rana returned to bowling and dismissed Gulbadin Naib soon after the Afghan opener was dismissed for 101 runs. Bangladesh returned to the match by picking up 2 wickets with a gap of 4 runs.
But Omarzai, who could not open the account of runs in the previous two matches, was not afraid of the way he was batting. The pace all-rounder took 57 with a great batting fifty. After settling down with him, the Prophet also attacked. Bangladesh was knocked out of the match in this pair. Their pair of 58 runs off 48 balls anchored Afghanistan to victory. Omarzai remained unbeaten on 70 runs off 77 balls with 5 sixes and 3 fours. Nabi scored 34 runs off 27 balls in the blink of an eye.
After the victory was assured, the cheers of the Afghanistan players and the atmosphere in the dressing room were telling that they wanted to win the match at any cost. They deserve the crown of victory in the great battle of bat-ball.
How will Afghanistan’s recent success influence their performance in the upcoming cricket World Cup?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Cricket Expert Noor Rahman
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Noor! Thank you for joining us today. After Afghanistan’s remarkable victory over Bangladesh in the third ODI, it seems they have solidified their status in the cricketing world. What are your thoughts on the match and how Afghanistan managed to clinch the series 2-1?
Noor Rahman: Good morning! It was indeed an impressive performance by Afghanistan. They displayed not just skill but also mental resilience. Winning the series against a team like Bangladesh, especially after trailing earlier, speaks volumes about their growth as a cricketing nation.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! This match was particularly pivotal for both teams. Bangladesh started strong with a target of 244. However, they seemed to falter in the early overs, losing four wickets for just 72 runs. What went wrong for them in those critical moments?
Noor Rahman: Bangladesh’s top order really struggled. The early loss of wickets put immense pressure on the middle order. It’s tough to come back when you’re losing key players so quickly. The partnership between Miraj and Mahmudullah was crucial, but their contrasting batting styles raised some eyebrows. Miraj’s slow fifty, the slowest by a Bangladeshi since 2005, indicates a lack of aggression at a time when the team needed it.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of that partnership, Mahmudullah seemed to be under a lot of pressure leading into this match. He had a series of low scores and was also dealing with a hamstring injury. How do you think he coped with that pressure during his innings of 98 runs?
Noor Rahman: Mahmudullah’s performance was commendable given the circumstances. It’s never easy to play under pressure, especially with a history of poor form weighing on your mind. Despite his injury, he showed great determination and experience, which is vital for a player in his position. Scoring 98 runs against a tough Afghan bowling attack, despite the injury, demonstrates his character and skill.
Time.news Editor: Definitely! Let’s talk about the Afghan bowling attack, especially Azmatullah Omarzai, who was on the verge of a five-wicket haul. How crucial was his performance to Afghanistan’s overall success in the series?
Noor Rahman: Azmatullah was exceptional. His ability to take crucial wickets at pivotal moments helped dismantle the Bangladeshi batting order. Bowling 7 overs and taking 4 for 37 is a fantastic effort. His performance not only showcased his skill but provided Afghanistan with the momentum they needed at various points in the game.
Time.news Editor: With this series win, what does this mean for Afghanistan’s cricketing future? Are they now seen as a serious contender on the international stage?
Noor Rahman: This series win is a significant achievement for Afghanistan. It boosts their confidence and cements their position as a competitive side in international cricket. They have a mix of young, gritty players and experienced campaigners who can step up under pressure. Teams will no longer take them lightly, which is an important milestone for the team’s growth.
Time.news Editor: Great insights, Noor! Lastly, with the World Cup coming up, what should Afghanistan focus on to maintain this momentum?
Noor Rahman: Their focus should be on maintaining consistency in both batting and bowling departments. They need to emphasize partnerships, both with the bat and in the fielding unit, as that’s where they can win matches. Moreover, developing maturity in handling pressure situations will be key. If they can build upon this foundation, they could be genuine threats in the World Cup.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Noor! This was an enlightening discussion. We look forward to seeing how Afghanistan continues to evolve as a cricketing nation!
Noor Rahman: My pleasure! I’m excited to see what lies ahead for all teams in the upcoming tournaments.