Bangladesh leveled the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan with a 68-run victory in the second game at Sharjah, setting up a decider for November 12. A clinical bowling performance and crucial contributions from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and debutant Jaker Ali helped Bangladesh defend a total of 252/7.
Afghanistan, chasing 253 for victory, crumbled to 184 in 43.3 overs, losing their last six wickets for just 21 runs. Their chase began cautiously but fell apart after a series of dramatic wickets, with Bangladesh’s fast bowlers leading the charge.
Shanto’s Steady Knock Anchors Bangladesh’s Total
Bangladesh’s innings was anchored by Shanto’s patient 76 off 119 balls. His knock provided the backbone for Bangladesh’s score, though it was not without its challenges. After an early loss of Tanzid Hasan, Shanto and Soumya Sarkar added 71 runs for the second wicket. Afghanistan’s spinners – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia Kharote, and AM Ghazanfar – bowled well to stifle the run rate, but Shanto and Soumya kept Bangladesh ticking along.
Despite a slow phase in the middle overs, Bangladesh added 82 runs in 14 overs after the powerplay, though it took another 23 overs to reach 82 more runs. Shanto’s slow approach, reaching 50 off 75 balls, showed the difficulty of scoring on the sluggish surface. Afghanistan’s spinners kept a tight grip, with Rashid trapping Soumya lbw for 35 and later dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 11.
The real damage to Bangladesh’s momentum came in the 41st over when Kharote struck thrice in quick succession to dismiss Towhid Hridoy, Shanto, and Mahmudullah. But late cameos from Jaker Ali (37* off 27 balls) and Nasum Ahmed (25) ensured Bangladesh finished strong, adding 60 runs in the final six overs, with Jaker’s two sixes off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the 47th over providing a thrilling finish.
Afghanistan’s Collapse Seals Bangladesh’s Win
In reply, Afghanistan’s chase got off to a cautious start. The Bangladesh bowlers, led by Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan, kept the pressure high, and it was the fielding that made the early breakthroughs. Taskin had Rahmanullah Gurbaz caught at wide slip, while Mehidy took a stunning catch at square leg to dismiss Sediqullah Atal off Nasum Ahmed.
Atal’s departure triggered a collapse, and although Rahmat Shah (52 off 76 balls) tried to hold the innings together, Afghanistan’s middle order failed to accelerate. The turning point came when Rahmat was run out in a mix-up with Gulbadin Naib, and Afghanistan lost three wickets in the space of six balls.
Naib, who hit a quickfire 26, briefly revived the chase with Mohammad Nabi, but the required rate kept climbing. Mustafizur Rahman took the key wicket of Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, caught at fine leg for 17, and Nasum Ahmed bowled Azmatullah Omarzai for a duck to put Bangladesh firmly in control.
The lower order could not withstand the pressure. Afghanistan lost their last five wickets for just 21 runs, with Bangladesh’s bowlers, especially Nasum (3/28) and Mehidy (2/37), dismantling the tail to bowl Afghanistan out for 184.
Bangladesh’s win, built on Shanto’s steady innings and clinical bowling, gave them a 68-run victory and leveled the series 1-1. Afghanistan, despite a solid start, could not recover from their middle-order collapse. Both teams will now head into the series decider, with everything to play for in the final ODI in Sharjah.
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 2nd ODI, Sharjah, 9 Nov 2924, Scorecard
Bangladesh: 252/7 in 50 overs
– Najmul Hossain Shanto: 76 (119 balls)
– Jaker Ali: 37* (27 balls)
– Soumya Sarkar: 35 (49 balls)
Bowlers:
– Nangeyalia Kharote: 3/28 (8 overs)
– Rashid Khan: 2/32 (10 overs)
– AM Ghazanfar: 2/35 (10 overs)
Afghanistan: 184 in 43.3 overs
– Rahmat Shah: 52 (76 balls)
– Sediqullah Atal: 39 (51 balls)
– Gulbadin Naib: 26 (25 balls)
Bowlers:
– Nasum Ahmed: 3/28 (8.3 overs)
– Mustafizur Rahman: 2/37 (8 overs)
– Mehidy Hasan Miraz: 2/37 (10 overs)
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