AFG vs BAN (3rd ODI) – Highlights
Afghanistan ended their home ODI series against Bangladesh emphatically, storming to a 200-run victory in the third and final match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It was a complete performance of powerful batting, fiery fast bowling, and clinical spin that saw the hosts claim a 3-0 series win. Young pacer Bilal Sami was the star of the night with a sensational five-wicket haul, while veteran Mohammad Nabi’s late fireworks with the bat ensured Bangladesh were left chasing shadows.
Opting to bat first, AFG top order once again revolved around the ever-reliable Ibrahim Zadran, who compiled a classy 95 from 111 balls. His innings was a masterclass in composure and placement, mixing crisp boundaries with smart rotation of strike. He was ably supported by Rahmanullah Gurbaz (42 off 44), whose aggressive start gave Afghanistan the platform to build big. After a steady middle passage, Bangladesh’s spinners briefly clawed back momentum — Saif Hassan’s part-time off-breaks yielded three crucial wickets, including Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and keeper Ikram Alikhil.
But then came the turning point. Mohammad Nabi, playing with the freedom of a man half his age, unleashed a brutal counterattack. His unbeaten 62 from just 37 deliveries, studded with four fours and five sixes, shifted the momentum decisively. Nabi’s onslaught against Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud turned a par score into a commanding total as Afghanistan finished on 293 for 9 from their 50 overs.
BAN chase, however, never got off the ground. From the moment Mohammad Naim edged Azmatullah Omarzai to slip, the innings fell apart with alarming speed. The top order found itself trapped between Rashid Khan’s guile and Bilal Sami’s sheer pace. Sami bowled with venom and accuracy, dismantling the middle and lower order with figures of 5 for 33 his best in ODI cricket. He accounted for the likes of Mehidy Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, and Rishad Hossain, each dismissal driving deeper nails into Bangladesh’s coffin.
Rashid Khan, operating in tandem, provided a spin masterclass. His 3 for 12 from six overs tore through Bangladesh’s middle order, leaving them reeling at 70 for 6 within 20 overs. Only opener Saif Hassan (43 off 54) resisted briefly, playing with grit and timing before falling to Rashid in a desperate attempt to counterattack. The rest offered little resistance nine wickets fell for just 58 runs as Bangladesh folded for 93 in 27.1 overs, handing Afghanistan a mammoth 200-run win.
For AFG, this was not just a victory but a statement. Ibrahim Zadran was rightly named Player of the Series for his consistent top-order dominance, while Bilal Sami’s devastating spell earned him the Player of the Match award. The performance underlined Afghanistan’s rising stature in ODI cricket — a side now capable of not only competing but completely outclassing established teams.
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Scoreboard
Afghanistan – 293/9 (50)
Bangladesh – 93 (27.1/50)
Result – Afghanistan won by 200 runs
Player of the Match – Bilal Sami
Bilal Sami
AFG vs BAN Playing XIs
Afghanistan | Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami. |
Bangladesh | Saif Hassan, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana. |
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
Step into the world of cricket with JeetBuzz News—where expert opinions, trending Blogs, and behind-the-scenes insights meet all your favorite topics. Stay informed, stay entertained, and never miss the stories shaping the cricketing world—only on JeetBuzz News!
