Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran once again fell agonisingly short of a century, while veteran Mohammad Nabi produced a late fireworks display to steer Afghanistan to a competitive total of 293/9 in the third and final ODI against Bangladesh at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Asked to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a solid start as openers Ibrahim and Rahmanullah Gurbaz added 99 runs in 16 overs, punishing the Bangladesh pacers who struggled to find rhythm early on. Gurbaz looked in fine touch before he was trapped leg-before by Tanvir Islam for a brisk 42 off 44 balls, striking five fours and a six.
The dismissal did little to slow Afghanistan’s scoring. Ibrahim found support in Sediqullah Atal, and the pair put together another 74-run stand. Bangladesh fought back in the middle overs, however, thanks to part-timer Saif Hasan, who triggered a mini-collapse.
Saif first removed Atal for 29 with a sharp caught-and-bowled before dismissing skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi for just 2, caught at midwicket by Towhid Hridoy. Afghanistan’s innings then suffered another blow when Ibrahim — well set on 95 — was run out by a direct hit from Nahid Rana, missing out on a century for the second consecutive match.
The young opener’s frustration was evident as he threw his bat and kicked a chair while walking back to the pavilion. His fluent 111-ball 95, including eight fours and a six, had anchored Afghanistan’s innings until his unfortunate dismissal in the 37th over.
Bangladesh’s pressure intensified as Saif bowled Ikram Alikhil through the gate, reducing Afghanistan from 173-1 to 188-5, a collapse of four wickets for just 15 runs. Tanvir Islam returned to dismiss Azmatullah Omarzai with a sharp-turning delivery, while Rashid Khan’s brief stay ended for 8.
Just as Bangladesh seemed poised to restrict Afghanistan below 250, Mohammad Nabi counterattacked with vintage flair.
The experienced all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 62 off only 37 balls, featuring four boundaries and five towering sixes. He took 25 runs off the 49th over before adding another flurry in the final over, ensuring Afghanistan finished strongly despite the mid-innings collapse.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
