In the first ODI of the series, Bangladesh struggled with the bat and suffered a defeat against Afghanistan.
While Bangladesh’s T20 cricket is singing the song of transformation, their ODI journey seems to be moving backward. Having slipped to 10th in the ICC rankings, the Tigers began another series with a loss. Afghanistan, who were whitewashed in the T20 series, showcased a completely different version of themselves in the 50-over format.
Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets in the opening match of the three-match ODI series.
In Abu Dhabi, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s side was restricted to 221 runs, thanks to a superb bowling performance by the Afghans. They chased down the target with 17 balls to spare.
Azmatullah Omarzai was named Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance — taking three wickets with the ball and scoring an effective 40 runs with the bat.
Rashid Khan also deserves special mention. With a brilliant spell that fetched him three wickets, he turned the innings around and played a vital role in restricting Bangladesh to such a low total.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Miraz chose to bat first, stating that the team was aiming for a score around 280. However, the top order failed to provide a solid foundation. In the middle order, Miraz and Towhid Hridoy both scored fifties, but their innings were painfully slow. To put up a 101-run stand, they faced 142 balls — an old-fashioned approach that didn’t help the scoring rate.
Neither of them managed to accelerate later. As wickets kept falling regularly, Bangladesh’s total never reached the expected mark.
The Tigers couldn’t score from 169 deliveries, while Afghanistan also had 153 dot balls — though it didn’t affect them much since the target wasn’t large.
The match began with an early double blow from Azmatullah Omarzai, who used swing and movement to his advantage. After getting a life on 4, Tanzid Hasan (10) was dismissed the very next ball. Soon after, Najmul Hossain Shanto (10) chipped an easy catch to mid-off.
Saif Hassan, who made his ODI debut after shining in T20s, had a promising start but fell for 26 runs, caught brilliantly by Rashid Khan off left-arm spinner Nangyal Kharoat.
With the score at 53 for 3, Hridoy and Miraz tried to rebuild. Despite having a large outfield that encouraged singles and doubles, both struggled to rotate the strike. Hridoy, in particular, looked uncomfortable, managing three sixes to ease pressure but failing to improve the overall run rate.
Even with the slow partnership, Bangladesh seemed on course to reach 250-plus. They were 153 for 3 after 35 overs, but then came the collapse.
The century stand broke with a run-out — Hridoy departed for 56 off 85 balls. Soon after, Rashid struck again, dismissing Miraz with a googly and becoming the first Afghan bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets. The skipper made 60 off 87 balls.
Rashid then trapped Zakir Ali (10) and Nurul Hasan Sohan (7) LBW. Bangladesh lost six wickets for just 52 runs in 12 overs.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib fought briefly with 17 runs, while Tanvir Islam’s late six and four took the total just past 220.
Defending 221, Bangladesh needed early wickets, but Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Afghanistan a strong start. They crossed fifty in the ninth over with ease.
Tanvir Islam broke the stand in the 10th over by stumping Ibrahim (23), and Tanzim quickly removed Sediqullah Atal.
However, the partnership between Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah steadied the chase. Bangladesh bowled tightly, but with no scoreboard pressure, the Afghan batters played calmly. At one stage, there were 73 consecutive balls without a boundary.
Afghanistan’s first fifty came off 50 balls, while the next fifty took 94.
Rahmat Shah, after a shaky start, reached his fifty off 68 balls, becoming the first Afghan batter to surpass 4,000 ODI runs in the process. Soon after, Tanzim dismissed him, and Gurbaz (59) fell to a brilliant delivery from Miraz, ending a 78-run stand.
Those two quick wickets revived Bangladesh’s hopes. Hashmatullah Shahidi nearly got out first ball, while Omarzai survived an LBW review. Both then stabilized the innings again and steered Afghanistan toward victory.
They took time to settle — after 15 balls, Omarzai was on just 1, and Shahidi had 7 off 21. Once set, Omarzai accelerated beautifully with some crisp strokes.
Although he couldn’t finish the game, his 40 off 44 balls practically sealed the match. Shahidi remained unbeaten on 33 off 46, while Mohammad Nabi ended the game with a six.
The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Saturday.
Brief Score
- Bangladesh: 221 all out in 48.5 overs
(Saif 26, Hridoy 56, Miraz 60, Zakir 10, Sohan 7, Tanzim 17, Tanvir 11; Omarzai 3/40, Rashid 3/38, Gajanfar 2/55, Kharoat 1/32) - Afghanistan: 226/5 in 47.1 overs
(Gurbaz 50, Ibrahim 23, Rahmat 50, Omarzai 40, Shahidi 33*, Nabi 11*; Tanzim 3/31, Miraz 1/32, Tanvir 1/42)
Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets
Series: Afghanistan lead 1–0 (3-match series)
Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai
