Afghanistan secured a convincing five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first One-Day International (ODI) of their three-match series, held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and elected to bat first, revealing their lineup included three fast bowlers, two spinners, and one debutant, Saif. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also expressed a desire to bat first but hoped his opponent`s decision would ultimately benefit his team.
Match Result: Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets
Bangladesh: 221/10 (48.5 overs)
Afghanistan: 226/5 (47.1 overs)
Match Summary
Bangladesh set a modest total of 221 runs, being bowled out in 48.5 overs. Their batting woes began early, losing several wickets within the first 15 overs due to challenging conditions and the ball`s turn. The partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was a highlight of their innings, but once they departed, Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar quickly dispatched the lower order.
In response, Afghanistan showcased a strong all-round performance. Despite a cautious start to their chase, the crucial partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah significantly reduced the required deficit. While Ibrahim Zadran looked good early on, he failed to convert his start into a big score. Hashmatullah Shahidi anchored the innings, supported by Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored a rapid 40 runs, making the task considerably easier. Ultimately, Mohammad Nabi sealed the victory with a powerful six in the 47.1 over, reaching 226/5.
Player of the Match
Azmatullah Omarzai was awarded the Player of the Match for his all-round performance, acknowledging the difficult batting conditions.
Captain`s Reactions
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed satisfaction with his team`s display, particularly praising the bowlers` effort in the middle overs and the strong starts by Gurbaz and Zadran. He also highlighted his own focus on fitness and fielding.
Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz acknowledged his team`s struggles, attributing them to early wicket losses and a lack of substantial partnerships. However, he remained optimistic, confident in his team`s ability to bounce back in the next game.
Playing XIs
Bangladesh (Playing XI):
- Tanzid Hasan Tamim
- Najmul Hossain Shanto
- Saif Hassan
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz(c)
- Nurul Hasan
- Jaker Ali(w)
- Towhid Hridoy
- Taskin Ahmed
- Hasan Mahmud
- Tanvir Islam
- Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Afghanistan (Playing XI):
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Sediqullah Atal
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi(c)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- Nangeyalia Kharote
- AM Ghazanfar
- Bashir Ahmad
Afghanistan now leads the three-match ODI series 1-0. The next match is scheduled for October 11th, where Bangladesh will look to level the series.
