Tigers 192 all out
Despite a brilliant 86-run knock from opener Liton Das and being in a commanding position – on 100 for one within 21 overs – hosts Bangladesh could post no more than 192 after being all out in 46.5 overs against Afghanistan in Chattogram's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium today.
The visitors would be thrilled at the break after the Tigers negotiated the early stages to their liking by riding on Liton-Tamim's 43-run stand to start with, followed by Liton-Shakib's 61-run stand. Once Shakib departed, it was all downhill from then on for the Tigers as batters, one by one, came and went.
Following Liton's departure, the Tigers relied on Mahmudullah Riyad, who remained unbeaten on 29 off 53 balls, to guide the tail but it was not meant to be for the hosts, leading to three run outs in the final stages of innings.
Rashid Khan was the key player for the visitors in getting them on the driving seat. The leggie's two quick wickets, of Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Rabbi, pulled the odds heavily in Afghanistan's favour. Rashid grabbed three wickets in the end while Mohammad Nabi bagged a brace.
- Tigers in trouble as Liton, Afif, Miraz depart -
Like all good things in life, Liton's wonderful knock had to come to an end at some point. And when Mohammad Nabi grabbed the wicket of Afif Dhrubo, Bangladesh had lost five wickets in the span of 56 runs.
Taskin Ahmed is the latest to depart as Bangladesh keep losing wickets at regular intervals. The Tigers are on 176 for eight after 43 overs. Mahmudullah Riyad is in his twenties.
[Wicket] Overs 42.6; BAN- 176/8: Rashid traps Taskin in front. Tigers take the review but Taskin has to go.
Taskin Ahmed lbw b Rashid Khan 0 (6b) SR: 0
[Wicket] Overs 41.4; BAN- 175/7: Miraz fails to track back after retreating from taking a single a mid-wicket. Najibullah Zadran makes no mistake with the throw.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz run out (Najibullah Zadran) 6 (12b) SR: 50
[Wicket] Overs 37.3; BAN- 160/6: Afif sees a short-pitched delivery and his eyes lit up. The lefty rocks on the backfoot but mistimes the pull. Opting for power over timing brings his downfall.
Afif Hossain c Mujeeb Ur Rahman b Mohammad Nabi 5 (6b 1x4) SR: 83.33
[Wicket] Overs 35.5; BAN- 153/5: Liton Das was in despair the moment he skied a Mohammad Nabi delivery with a slog sweep shot. It still took a brilliant running catch from Gulbadin Naib in the outfield to dismiss the right-hander 14 runs short of a back-to-back hundred.
Liton Das c Gulbadin Naib b Mohammad Nabi 86 (113b 7x4) SR: 76.1
- Double blow from Rashid tilts the balance -
Star leg spinner Rashid Khan has managed to get Afghanistan back in the game. The 23-year-old picked up Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Rabbi in successive overs and became the third fastest bowler to pick 150 ODI wickets in 80 matches..
Bangladesh 138 for four after 32 overs. Liton approaches the eighties as he is joined by Mahmudullah Riyad, who survived a close lbw call after Rashid struck him in the pads just outside the line with a googly.
[Wicket] Overs 28.6; BAN- 125/4: Indecisiveness and lack of feet movement bring the demise of Yasir Rabbi, who misses out in the series again, as he gets a leading edge to fielder at first slip.
Yasir Ali c Gulbadin Naib b Rashid Khan 1 (4b) SR: 25
[Wicket] Overs 26.5; BAN- 121/3: Rashid Khan strikes. Mushfiqur edges to wicketkeeper after attempting a defensive shot.
Mushfiqur Rahim c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Rashid Khan 7 (15b) SR: 46.66
Liton brings up fifty as Tigers' foundation solidifies
Liton Das has backed up his century from last game with a well-made fifty off 63 balls, having displayed an exhibition of fine batting skills, so far. Some exquisite ground strokes were on offer from the stylish right-hander, mixed with soft nudges and late touches here and there.
Bangladesh are well-placed at 107 for two after 23 overs despite the latest departure of Shakib Al Hasan. Two in-form batters at the crease now as Mushfiqur Rahim joins Liton in the middle.
[Wicket] Overs 21.4; BAN- 104/1: A soft dismissal! Shakib plays a good-length delivery on to the stumps. The ace allrounder is livid!
Shakib Al Hasan b Azmatullah Omarzai 30 (36b 3x4) SR: 83.33
Since coming at the crease, Shakib scored in a brisk pace for his thirty and strung a 61-run stand off 69 balls with Liton.
Bangladesh openers made a solid start by negotiating the early threats from Afghanistan opening bowlers Fazalhaq Farooki and Mujeeb Ur Rahman after electing to bat first. Liton has carried from where he had left off in the second ODI. However, Tamim Iqbal had to depart in the eleventh over after a 43-run opening stand.
Bangladesh are 64 for one after 15 overs. Liton has made batting look easy and struck four boundadries for his 34 runs off 49 balls, so far.
[Wicket] Overs 10.1; BAN- 43/1: A familiar sight this series: Fazalhaq Farooki takes the wicket of Tamim Iqbal with a full-pitched delivery. Tamim fails to connect as he tries to work it on the on side. Bowled out this time!
Tamim Iqbal b Fazalhaq Farooqi 11 (25b 1x4) SR: 44
Tigers elect to bat in third ODI
Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to bat first in the third and final ODI against Afghanistan at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.
Bangladesh have already won the series 2-0 and are currently on top of the ICC ODI Super League table with 10 wins from 14 matches. And the Tamim Iqbal-led side will be eager to solidify their chances for qualification for the 2023 World Cup with another win today.
Bangladesh, on the back of two comprehensive wins, have not made any changes to their squad. Afghanistan, meanwhile, made a single change as pacer Fareed Ahmed made way for all-rounder Gulbadin Naib for this game.
Playing XIs:
Bangladesh: Litton Das, Tamim Iqbal (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Yasir Ali, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Riaz Hasan, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi