Afghanistan Thrash Bangladesh to Wrap Up Maiden ODI Series Win

Thanks to a record opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan secured a convincing 143-run victory against Bangladesh on Saturday in Chattogram.

It sealed their first-ever ODI series win over Bangladesh, having emerged victorious in the first match by 17 runs at the same venue, reports UNB.

The final ODI, now presenting a great opportunity for Afghanistan to achieve a clean sweep, is scheduled to take place on July 11th in Chattogram.

Winning the toss on Saturday, Bangladesh elected to field first. Afghanistan took this as an opportunity to post a big total, and they delivered. Opening batsmen Rahmanullah and Ibrahim set up an outstanding partnership of 256 runs, the highest-ever by Afghan batters in ODIs, as both hit centuries.

After Shakib Al Hasan broke the partnership by dismissing Rahmanullah, Afghanistan lost wickets rapidly. However, this did not hinder them from accumulating more than 300 runs.

Shakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets each for Bangladesh.

In response, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals and never posed a threat to Afghanistan's total. They lost three wickets within the first 10 overs, failing to gather any momentum.

Fazalhaq Farooqi once again bowled exceptionally, taking three wickets, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman also contributed with three scalps, further troubling the Tigers.

Mushfiqur Rahim fought hard and scored 69 runs, but it was not sufficient to avoid a heavy defeat. Eventually, Bangladesh crumbled for 189 in 43.2 overs in pursuit of 331, suffering a 142-run loss.

Following the ODI series, both teams will face each other in a two-match T20I series in Sylhet.