AFG VS BAN 2ND ODI

Right then, one final chapter of this white-ball series between these two Asian sides remains, which is the third and final ODI of the series on Tuesday, 14th October. Having suffered a whitewash in the T20Is, the Afghans will be pleased with how they turned things around and will be eager to inflict a whitewash of their own. The Tigers, on the other hand, will want to end the series on a high and carry confidence into their home series against the West Indies, starting next week. The first ball will be bowled at 12 pm GMT, but join us early for the pre-match build-up. See you then. Cheers!

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that he is happy to win the series and congratulates Ibrahim Zadran for his knock, as it was not an easy pitch to bat on. Mentions that when he was at the crease, he felt that 220 would be enough. He also praises Azmatullah Omarzai for picking early wickets and adds that even after the completion of the sixth over he was confident enough to continue his spell. Ends up saying that Rashid Khan is a world class bowler and he congratulates him as well for bagging the five-fer.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the Bangladesh captain, says it's definitely a tough loss. Miraz reckons that they bowled really well but their batting was terrible today. Mentions that they needed to build partnerships which they failed to do today. Adds that the top order let them down, if they'd scored, things would've been different and the batters failed as a team tonight. Closes by saying they have to work on that aspect as they've still got one more game in this series and more cricket ahead, they need to bounce back strong and the batters need to step up and take responsibility.

Ibrahim Zadran is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fighting 95-run knock. He says that he was trying to stay positive in the first inning and was focusing on rotating the strike to put up a competitive total. Shares that he is not unhappy with the intent of the shot, where he was dismissed, but he felt that he needed to score quick runs as they were moving towards the death overs. Ends up saying that after the first inning, he told the team that if they bowl well, they will be able to win the match.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan endured a stop-start innings, with Bangladesh striking back each time the batting side seemed to be gaining momentum. Ibrahim Zadran held things together amid a trial by spin from Bangladesh. A calf strain to Rahmat Shah forced him to retire hurt, further adding to Afghanistan’s troubles. There were brief phases of stability through Zadran’s partnerships with Mohammad Nabi and Nangeyalia Kharote, but none lasted long enough to build real momentum, and as a result, they could only post 190 on the board. Mehidy Hasan Miraz stood out with the ball for Bangladesh with figures of 3 for 42 from his 10 overs, including a maiden.

Afghanistan were in search of early wickets with the new ball, and Azmatullah Omarzai delivered spectacularly. Omarzai set the tone upfront, taking three wickets in a seven-over spell inside the first 11 overs, with the team also benefiting from a run out of Najmul Hossain Shanto. Jaker Ali and Tawhid Hridoy tried to steady the innings after the chaotic start, and it seemed the chase was getting on track. However, a rush of blood from Hridoy opened the floodgates. Rashid Khan needed no second invitation, and from there it became a procession. It was a meek surrender from the Bangla Tigers, who simply refused to rein in their attacking instincts on a track that still offered considerable turn under the lights. Rashid finished with a five-wicket haul as Afghanistan achieved the lowest ODI total successfully defended at Abu Dhabi.

A memorable win for Afghanistan, and with this victory, Hashmatullah Shahidi and his men have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead. It also marks their third consecutive ODI series win over Bangladesh. Not long ago, during the Asia Cup, Bangladesh faltered while chasing 136 against Pakistan, and once again they have come undone in a situation that demanded sensible batting and low-risk cricket. This is now their fourth consecutive ODI series defeat, leaving the Bangla Tigers with plenty to reflect on as they look ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

OUT! STUMPED! Game, set and match for Afghanistan as they win this by 81 runs. Googly from Rashid Khan and the batter fails to read it. Rishad Hossain dances down the track and gives the wood in his hands a mighty swing but misses out completely. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, behind the stumps, collects the ball and removes the bails in a flash.

OUT! STUMPED! Game, set and match for Afghanistan as they win this by 81 runs. Googly from Rashid Khan and the batter fails to read it. Rishad Hossain dances down the track and gives the wood in his hands a mighty swing but misses out completely. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, behind the stumps, collects the ball and removes the bails in a flash.

Wrong'un on off, Mustafizur Rahman looks to cut this but gets lucky with the inside edge fizzing past the off-pole for a single to fine leg.

Just two taken. Tossed up on middle and off, Mustafizur Rahman steps a long way across and ramps this to the fine leg fence. AM Ghazanfar from short fine chases this and keeps it down to just two with a brilliant fielding effort by flicking the ball back inside the playing area inches in front of the fence.

Pushed through on off, Mustafizur Rahman drives this to sweeper cover and takes one. The Fizz will keep strike at the start of the next over.

Full and on off, Rishad Hossain drives this to long off for a single.

Tossed up on middle and off, Mustafizur Rahman slams it down to long on for a single.

DROPPED! Not that it would make much impact on the game but in a game of cricket, you never know! Tossed up on off, Rishad Hossain swings but gets it away off the bottom of his bat to Ibrahim Zadran running to his left at long on. Ibrahim goes with hard hands at it and ends up dropping it away for one.

Full and around off, Rishad Hossain swings at it but misses.