NEW DELHI: Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit an electrifying century while Azmatullah Omarzai delivered an all-around performance as Afghanistan secured a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third ODI in Sharjah to clinch a 2-1 series win on Monday.
Gurbaz struck as masterful 120-ball 101 and Omarzai followed it up with a solid 77-ball 70 after his four-for as Afghans chased down 245 in the 49th over to wrap up a series win.
Afghanistan had previously won the first ODI by 92 runs while Bangladesh bounced back to win the second by 68 runs.
The series win marks Afghanistan’s third consecutive victory this year, following triumphs against Ireland (2-0) and South Africa (2-1). The victories come on the heels of their impressive wins over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the previous year’s World Cup held in India.
Mohammad Mahmudullah’s run-a-ball 98, ending with his run-out on the last ball of the innings, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s steady 66 propelled Bangladesh to 244 for 8.
Bangladesh pacers, Mustafizur Rahman (2-50) and Nahid Rana (2-40), initially put Afghanistan on the back foot at 84 for 3. However, Gurbaz and Omarzai joined hands for a crucial 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Gurbaz’s knock, studded with seven sixes and five boundaries, marked his eighth ODI century. He was dismissed in the 39th over, leaving Afghanistan needing 61 runs to win.
Omarzai, having smashed five sixes and three boundaries, forged a vital 58-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi (34 off 27 balls) to secure the victory. He finished the match in style, hitting the winning six.
“I am very happy as a captain,” said Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi.
“When we lost the toss we were a bit worried because it’s tough to bat second in Sharjah but our batters did very well.”
Miraz acknowledged Afghanistan’s commendable performance.
“I think credit goes to Afghanistan the way they played in this series,” said Miraz. “Gurbaz and Omarzai did very well and we couldn’t get wickets to win the match.”
Bangladesh, playing without their regular skipper Najmul Shanto due to injury, got off to a solid start thanks to Soumya Sarkar (24) and Tanzid Hasan (19). Their 53-run opening stand was followed by a middle-order collapse, losing four wickets for 19 runs in 38 balls.
Mahmudullah and Miraz then orchestrated a remarkable recovery, stitching together a 155-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Their partnership effectively countered the Afghan spinners, who could only manage two wickets between them during this period.
Miraz fell victim to Omarzai in the 46th over. However, Mahmudullah continued his resolute batting until the last ball of the innings, when he was run out attempting a second run.
Mahmudullah’s innings was characterized by three sixes and seven fours, while Miraz’s patient 119-ball knock included four boundaries.
Omarzai’s impressive bowling figures of 4 for 37 marked his career-best performance, surpassing his previous best of 3 for 56 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele earlier this year.
