Afghanistan's sensational run in 2024 continued with another ODI series win against Bangladesh on Monday. Azamatullah Omarzai's all-round show and a brilliant hundred from Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the Afghan side to a big 5-wicket win in the third ODI and to a 2-1 series win in Sharjah.
Bangladesh posted a challenging total of 244 for 8 while batting first with the veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah scoring 98 runs despite struggling with a foot injury. Omarzai claimed four wickets for 37 and then shone with a bat by smashing an unbeaten 70 runs.
Gurbaz continued his red-hot form by scoring 101 runs off 120 balls and then Omarzai finished the chase with a six in the penultimate over off Shoriful Islam. Mohammad Nabi also contributed with 34* off just 27 balls to avoid any late comeback from the Bangladesh side.
Afghanistan fielded the same playing eleven while Bangladesh missed out on injured captain Najmul Shanto. Mehidy Hasan Miraz stepped in to take the captain's armband and replaced Taskin Ahmed with the speedster Nahid Rana.
After the spinners' dominance in the first two games, the pace bowlers finally managed to make an impact. Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar added a promising 53 runs for the opening wicket but Afghanistan made a strong comeback with four wickets inside the first 15 overs.
Mahmudullah and Hasan Miraz then dominated the majority of the first innings with a 145-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Mehidy Hasan Miraz struggled for big shots throughout his innings as he took 119 balls to score 66 runs with the help of just four boundaries. Mahmudullah suffered an ankle injury during the closing stages but stayed at the crease to help his team post a fighting total.
Omarzai beat Gurbaz for the Player of the Match award as his all-round brilliance proved the difference in the series decider. Nabi, who will be retiring after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, clinched the Player of the Series award for scoring 135 runs and taking two wickets.
Bangladesh Playing XI: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Zakir Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali (wk), Nasum Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Afghanistan Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Allah Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
