NEW DELHI: Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit an electrifying century whereas Azmatullah Omarzai delivered an all-around efficiency as Afghanistan secured a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh within the third ODI in Sharjah to clinch a 2-1 sequence win on Monday.
Gurbaz struck as masterful 120-ball 101 and Omarzai adopted it up with a strong 77-ball 70 after his four-for as Afghans chased down 245 within the 49th over to wrap up a sequence win.
Afghanistan had beforehand gained the primary ODI by 92 runs whereas Bangladesh bounced again to win the second by 68 runs.
The sequence win marks Afghanistan’s third consecutive victory this yr, following triumphs in opposition to Eire (2-0) and South Africa (2-1). The victories come on the heels of their spectacular wins over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka within the earlier yr’s World Cup held in India.
Mohammad Mahmudullah’s run-a-ball 98, ending together with his run-out on the final ball of the innings, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s regular 66 propelled Bangladesh to 244 for 8.
Bangladesh pacers, Mustafizur Rahman (2-50) and Nahid Rana (2-40), initially put Afghanistan on the again foot at 84 for 3. Nonetheless, Gurbaz and Omarzai joined arms for a vital 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Gurbaz’s knock, studded with seven sixes and 5 boundaries, marked his eighth ODI century. He was dismissed within the 39th over, leaving Afghanistan needing 61 runs to win.
Omarzai, having smashed 5 sixes and three boundaries, cast an important 58-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi (34 off 27 balls) to safe the victory. He completed the match in model, hitting the profitable six.
“I’m very completely satisfied as a captain,” mentioned Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi.
“Once we misplaced the toss we had been a bit nervous as a result of it is powerful to bat second in Sharjah however our batters did very properly.”
Miraz acknowledged Afghanistan’s commendable efficiency.
“I feel credit score goes to Afghanistan the way in which they performed on this sequence,” mentioned Miraz. “Gurbaz and Omarzai did very properly and we could not get wickets to win the match.”
Bangladesh, enjoying with out their common skipper Najmul Shanto as a consequence of harm, obtained off to a strong begin due to Soumya Sarkar (24) and Tanzid Hasan (19). Their 53-run opening stand was adopted by a middle-order collapse, dropping 4 wickets for 19 runs in 38 balls.
Mahmudullah and Miraz then orchestrated a outstanding restoration, stitching collectively a 155-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Their partnership successfully countered the Afghan spinners, who may solely handle two wickets between them throughout this era.
Miraz fell sufferer to Omarzai within the 46th over. Nonetheless, Mahmudullah continued his resolute batting till the final ball of the innings, when he was run out making an attempt a second run.
Mahmudullah’s innings was characterised by three sixes and 7 fours, whereas Miraz’s affected person 119-ball knock included 4 boundaries.
Omarzai’s spectacular bowling figures of four for 37 marked his career-best efficiency, surpassing his earlier finest of three for 56 in opposition to Sri Lanka in Pallekele earlier this yr.
