|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 68 runs in the second ODI on Saturday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE to level the three-match series 1-1.

Bangladesh needed a win to keep the series alive after a 92-run defeat in the first match, so this game became a must-win.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s composed 76 helped Bangladesh post a competitive 252-7.

Soumya Sarkar contributed 35, while Nasum Ahmed, returning to the team after the 2023 ODI World Cup, added 25. Debutant Jaker Ali Anik, who stepped in for the injured Mushfiqur Rahim, chipped in with an unbeaten 37, helping stabilize the innings after a brief collapse.

Afghan left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote was impressive with 3-28, while Rashid Khan and offspinner Mohammad Ghazanfar each claimed two wickets, with Ghazanfar taking 2-35 after his standout 6-26 in the first game. Bangladesh’s ability to handle Ghazanfar effectively was key to their performance today.

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a quick start, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s confident 22 off 17 balls against pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. Ghazanfar took the first wicket, dismissing Tanzid, but Soumya and Shanto navigated the spinner’s mystery deliveries to maintain momentum.

Rashid Khan broke the 71-run stand by trapping Soumya leg-before. Shanto then added 53 more runs with Mehidy Hasan Miraz before Rashid struck again, removing Miraz for 22. Shanto brought up his ninth ODI half-century by pushing a delivery from Mohammad Nabi to mid-on.

Batting cautiously, Shanto’s innings was a steadying factor for Bangladesh until he unexpectedly attacked Nangeyalia Kharote, losing his wicket after hitting six boundaries and a six off 119 balls. Shortly after, Mahmudullah Riyad also fell to a loose shot, sparking concerns of another collapse.

However, Jaker and Nasum’s 46-run partnership for the seventh wicket put Bangladesh back in control. Kharote dismissed Nasum, but Jaker’s powerful strokes propelled Bangladesh past the 250-run mark, setting a challenging target for Afghanistan.

Afghan's chase began on a rough note as Taskin Ahmed removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for just 2, leaving Afghanistan at 18 runs.

Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah then built a stabilizing partnership, with Atal contributing 39 off 51 balls before Nasum, returning to the squad, claimed his wicket. Rahmat continued to anchor the innings, reaching a valuable fifty to keep Afghanistan in the game.

However, Rahmat's dismissal due to a mix-up for a run-out triggered a collapse in the Afghan batting. Soon after, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai were also dismissed in quick succession, as Afghanistan lost three wickets in just six balls, further denting their chase.

Gulbadin Naib provided brief resistance with a quick 26 off 25 balls but fell to Shoriful Islam. In the following over, Miraz took the crucial wicket of Mohammad Nabi, accelerating Afghanistan’s troubles.

Miraz maintained his momentum, dismissing Kharote, while Mustafizur Rahman bowled Rashid for 14 off 16 balls. The final wicket, Ghazanfar, fell for 1 as Nasum sealed Afghanistan’s innings at 184, handing Bangladesh a 68-run victory.

Nasum was the standout with three wickets, while Mustafizur and Miraz took two each, with Taskin and Shoriful adding one apiece.

This comprehensive win brings Bangladesh level in the series, setting up a decider in the final match on Tuesday.