Afghanistan thrash sloppy Tigers in third ODI

An 86-run knock from Liton Das did not amount to much as a series of dropped catches saw Rahmanullah Gurbaz smash his third ODI century to help Afghanistan thrash Bangladesh by seven wickets in the third and final ODI at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. 

Gurbaz, on way to his unbeaten 106-run knock off 110 balls, survived as many as three dropped catches -- on 60, 61 and 63. But following a solid start, Afghanistan were always in the driving seat as they chased down Bangladesh's modest 193-run target with 59 deliveries to spare. 

Despite the loss today, Bangladesh will take the three-match series home 2-1, thanks to two thumping wins in the first two matches.   

Defending a modest total, Bangladesh bowlers failed to make inroads early, letting the Afghans settle and dominate terms in the middle. In fact, the visitors had the best start in the series so far as openers Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan stitched together a 79-run stand. 

Shakib Al Hasan had Riaz (35 off 49) stumped in the 16th over but that too after Mushfiqur Rahim's fumble as it took the wicketkeeper two attempts to remove the bails. 

This, however, was not the only instance of sloppiness from Mushfiqur behind the stumps. The 34-year-old dropped Gurbaz twice, both off pacer Shoriful Islam. While one was a comparatively tough chance but the other should have been a regulation catch for a keeper who has been donning the gloves for over 15 years in international cricket.   

Shoriful was the unluckiest player today as he had seen Gurbaz being dropped once again when Mahmudullah Riyad, at square leg, failed to take a sitter after an attempted pull by the batter. 

With such sloppy fielding and a rather lacklustre body language, Bangladesh, for the most part of the game, were only waiting for the inevitable defeat.   

Earlier, Bangladesh, despite getting a good start with the bat, lost quick wickets in the middle and were bundled out for 192 in 46.5 overs.

However, Liton, on the back of a magnificent century, was once again on top of his game as the right-hander stitched stands of 43 and 61 runs with skipper Tamim Iqbal and Shakib for the opening and second wicket respectively. 

However, the Tigers' middle order failed to capitalise on the start provided by Liton as they could not even take the score past the 200-run mark.     
 
 

Gurbaz dropped for third time; Afghans nearing victory  

Overs 26.3, AFG- 131/1: DROPPED FOR THE THIRD TIME!!! And again it is off Shoriful Islam's delivery. The young pacer must be gutted. A short delivery around off from Shoriful and Gurbaz slashes his bat at it and gets a thick edge. Mushfiqur Rahim commits to it but despite his leap, he fails to hold on to it. This was rather a tough chance for Mushfiqur, who also seems to have hurt himself as he had a rough landing. The good news is that he is back on his feet again after some medical attention. With less than two required an over, Afghanistan, meanwhile, are nearing their first victory in the series. 

Gurbaz dropped again!

Overs 24.4, AFG- 120/1: DROPPED AGAIN!!! Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets another chance. He is dropped once again, this time on 61. Gurbaz once again attempts a pull off the same bowler, Shoriful Islam. The ball fell nicely to Mahmudullah Riyad at square leg but he failed to take a simple catch. The Tigers are having a terrible day in the field today. 

Mushy drops Gurbaz on 60

Overs 22.4, AFG- 107/1: DROPPED! Mushfiqur Rahim dropped Rahmanullah Gurbaz on 60. A short ball from Shoriful Islam and Gurbaz, who tries to pull, gets his glove on it. Mushfiqur, jumping to his left, fails to grab it. This could have been a big wicket for the Tigers, who are already on the backfoot in the game. This is, however, not the first instance of sloppiness from Mushfiqur behind the stumps. He had initially missed the chance to stump Riaz Hassan in the 16th over but the wicketkeeper got lucky that time as he had the batter out in his second attempt. 

Shakib ends 79-run opening stand

[Wicket] Overs 15.3, AFG- 79/1: Shakib Al Hasan finally breaks the opening partnership. The ball pitched in the middle and turned away from the right-handed batter Riaz Hassan. And even though wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim was unable to remove the bails in his first attempt, he succeeded in the following attempt and the batter, who still could not stride back in the crease, has to depart. Riaz walks off after a 49-ball 35 and helping Afghanistan to an incredible start. 

Afghans off to a flying start

After eight overs, AFG- 46/0

Afghanistan batters got off to a flying start in their chase of a modest total against Bangladesh in the third and final ODI at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. 

With not much of a scoreboard pressure, thanks to Bangladesh's 192 all out, Afghanistan openers Riaz Hassan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz started sensibly. However, after spending a few overs at the crease, the Afghan openers started playing scoring shots, with Riaz smashing Taskin for three boundaries in the eighth over. 

This is also Afghanistan's best start in the series. 

The Tigers have already used three bowlers -- Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Shakib Al Hasan -- but none of them could pose any threat to the visitors.