Sharjah, Oct 12 (V7N) – Bangladesh’s bowlers performed admirably to restrict Afghanistan to 191 runs, but the batting lineup faltered, collapsing for just 109 runs in the series-deciding ODI, handing Afghanistan the series victory. This marks Bangladesh’s fourth consecutive ODI series loss and their third straight defeat against Afghanistan, complicating their direct qualification path for the upcoming World Cup.
 
Rashid Khan’s leg-spin proved decisive, dismissing Rishad Hossain and finishing with figures of 5 wickets for 17 runs. Bangladesh’s innings ended in 28.3 overs, setting a new record for their lowest total against Afghanistan in ODIs. Only four Bangladeshi batsmen reached double figures, with Towhid Hridoy scoring a team-high 24 runs.
 
Bangladesh lost their first wicket for a duck while chasing, and despite sporadic resistance, the score stagnated at 99/5 before collapsing to 109 all out. Rashid Khan became the second Afghan bowler after Gulbadin Naib to claim a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in ODIs, following Gulbadin’s six wickets for 26 runs in Sharjah last year.
 
Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran had carried Afghanistan’s innings, almost reaching a century as wickets fell regularly at the other end. His 95-run effort included 3 fours and 1 six before being caught brilliantly by Rishad Hossain at deep mid-wicket. Zadran’s performance accounted for nearly half of Afghanistan’s 190-run total, earning him the ‘Man of the Match’ award. Other contributors included Mohammad Nabi and A. M. Ghazanfar, each scoring 22 runs. Afghanistan finished at 191 for 9, with Rahmat Shah forced to retire due to injury after facing a single delivery.
 
For Bangladesh, Captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz led the bowling attack with 3 wickets, including one maiden, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain picked up 2 wickets apiece. Despite strong bowling efforts, Bangladesh’s batting failure proved decisive in their defeat.
 
The series loss underscores Bangladesh’s ongoing challenges in ODIs and raises concerns ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
 
END/WD/SMA/