After winning the T20I series by a heavy margin of 3-nil, Bangladesh have had a nosedive performance in this ODI leg. They have lost the first two ODI matches, and cannot win the series now. But what they can do is save themselves from a whitewash!
Amzatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan took the responsibility for the bowling. However, a new batting sensation raised his hand today. It was a gritty Ibrahim Zadran extravaganzaβa 95-run outingβthat helped Afghanistan seal the show.
For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mehidy Hasan Miraz were the only saving graces. Can their batters revive after tonight? Honestly, they have to!
A huge third ODI awaits us on Tuesday at the very same venue in Abu Dhabi. See you all then and there... till then, this is Arjun Bhalla signing off on behalf of Ajay Pal Singh and Zeeshan Naiyer. Tata and goodnight!
Best Spells by Rashid Khan in ODIs
7/18 vs West Indies in Gros Islet, 2017
6/43 vs Ireland in Greater Noida, 2017
5/17 vs Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, 2025 (TONIGHT)
5/19 vs South Africa in Sharjah, 2024
5/24 vs Zimbabwe in Sharjah, 2018
5/41 vs UAE in Harare, 2018
Lowest Totals Defended by Afghanistan in ODIs
131/10 vs Zimbabwe in Sharjah, 2015
150/10 vs Canada in Toronto, 2011
178/6 vs Scotland in Edinburgh, 2016
190/10 vs Bangladesh, Abu Dhabi, 2025 (TONIGHT)
212/6 vs West Indies in Gros Islet, 2017
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan Captain): "Yes, very happy with the series win. I think, Ibrahim played well. The wicket was not easy. When we were batting, I was thinking about 220. If we get there, it will be a defendable target. I told the boys that the wicket is not easy, we will not let them achieve the target.
I think, he (Azmatullah Omarzai) gave us a good start. He gave us that momentum. I asked him if you can bowl another after 6, he said yes. He was confident and then he took the wicket of Mehidy. Credit goes to him and Rashid as well.
Yeah, he (Rashid Khan) is a world class bowler. I congratulate him for taking five wickets for us."
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh Captain): "Definitely, it is a hard loss. We bowled really well, but we batted awfully today.
We have to build partnerships; we failed to build them today. The top order failed; if they had scored, the scenario would have been different. The batters failed as a unit tonight.
We have to work on that aspect, as we still have one more game in this series and more cricket coming. We have to come back strongly. The batters need to improve and take responsibility."
Ibrahim Zadran (POTM): "I was just trying to stay positive. I can say we didn't build partnerships in the middle overs. I was focussing on rotating the strike, I knew if I stay till the end we can get to a decent total.
I was trying to hit 30-40 quick runs in the death overs. I didn't think about the hundred, was trying to get quick runs. I passed the message to the guys, the wicket is not easy to bat. If we bowl well and field well, we can make it difficult for them. It is just about keeping it simple and giving it all in the field. The result is for everyone to see."
Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran
Game Changer of the Match: Rashid Khan (figures of 5/17 with the ball)
11:29 PM IST & 9:59 PM Local Time: Time for the post-match presentation...
Lowest Totals by Bangladesh vs Afghanistan in ODIs