Riding on Tamim Iqbal's scintillating hundred, the Tigers finally stamped their authority on Afghanistan in the third and final match to clinch the series with a massive 141-run victory, providing some sort of relief ahead of their tough home challenge against England.

Apart from the 2-1 series win which secures their seventh position in the ICC rankings, the result had another special significance in Bangladesh's cricket history as it was their 100th ODI win in 315 appearances. Fittingly, the special moment was marked by a hundred from a man who is one of key architects of Bangladesh's major ODI success.

Bangladesh's ODI journey had started at Moratuwa in Sri Lanka when they played against Pakistan in the Asia Cup on March 31, 1986 and over the years they had secured only a few sporadic yet famous wins, until a new generation of players like Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim and Musfiqur Rahim brought about a new philosophy which would see the team rank among some of the best in the world.

Following sordid performances in the first two games and an edgy start in the third and final game, the Tigers bounced back and showed their true colours and gained much-needed confidence ahead of the England series as they gave the series a happy ending under lights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

There was an untoward incident as a fan invaded the pitch from the gallery and evaded the security as he sought a hug from Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza during the 29th over of the Afghans' innings.

When Shafiul Islam took a return catch from Dawlat Zadran to finish the Afghanistan chase for 138 runs, there were no marked celebrations from the Tigers, which had been anticipate considering the fact that it was a milestone victory.

However, the home team simply outclassed their opponents, who will be ruing their efforts in the fielding department, as an aggressive display from both Tamim and Sabbir Rahman -- who was the new man to be handed the bat in the number three position -- was brilliantly assisted by the bowling, especially left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain's, who celebrated his return to international cricket after eight years by taking three wickets for 24 in his eight overs.

However the game was built upon Bangladesh's batting, which found its feet despite an early hiccup before the middle-order stuttered to deny the side from crossing the 300-mark.

After Soumya Sarker continued his poor form -- giving his wicket away from a bat shot -- Tamim and Sabbir took charge as they put on a 140-run partnership to give the team a good platform.

Mahmudullah Riyad came to their rescue at the death with a cameo of 32, ensuring that Afghanistan would have to chase their highest-ever ODI total to secure a win.

Tamim was lucky to still be at the crease as he was dropped while batting on one by Afghan skipper Stanikzai. That second life proved to be vital as the southpaw made the most of his reprieve, hitting shots all over the field on his way to a run-a-ball 118. The seventh ton from Tamim also sets him apart as the Bangladesh batsmen with the highest number of centuries.