Afghanistan crush Bangladesh by 200 runs

Bangla Press Desk: Afghanistan completed their decimation of Bangladesh, wrapping up a 3-0 ODI series win with a massive 200-run victory in the third and final game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

After piling up 293 for 9, Afghanistan’s bowlers dismantled Bangladesh for just 93 — their heaviest ODI defeat in recent years. The result also mirrored Bangladesh’s 3-0 win over Afghanistan in the preceding T20I series.

Openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz set up the platform with a solid 99-run stand, before Zadran went on to anchor the innings with a fine 95. Gurbaz smashed 42 off 41 balls, while Sediqullah Atal added 36. Despite a brief middle-order collapse triggered by part-timer Saif Hassan — who claimed 3 wickets in 4 overs — Afghanistan found late fireworks from veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.

Nabi’s blistering 62 off just 37 balls, laced with four sixes and six fours, powered Afghanistan to a strong finish, adding 44 runs in the final two overs. Azmatullah Omarzai also chipped in with 19, helping the hosts reach 293 for 9 in 50 overs.

For Bangladesh, Saif Hassan was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 49, while pacer Nahid Rana walked off the field injured midway through his final spell.

In reply, Bangladesh’s batting collapsed once again in humiliating fashion. Openers Mohammad Naim (7) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (3) fell cheaply, continuing their poor run. Only Saif Hassan offered brief resistance with a fighting 43 off 54 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes.

Towhid Hridoy was dismissed first ball by Rashid Khan, who tore through the middle order in trademark fashion, picking up three wickets in his first three overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (6), Shamim Hossain (0), and Nurul Hasan Sohan (2) also failed to contribute as Bangladesh were reduced to 81 for 8.

Bilal Sami, playing just his second ODI, produced a sensational spell to claim his maiden five-wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 27. Rashid Khan complemented him perfectly with 3 for 24. Hasan Mahmud’s 9 was the only other double-digit score as Bangladesh folded in 27.1 overs.

With the victory, Afghanistan not only secured a historic 3-0 sweep but also highlighted the growing gulf between the two sides in ODI cricket. For Bangladesh, the whitewash marks a sobering end to a tour that began with promise but ended in complete collapse.

BP/SP