Bangladesh Eliminated from Tri-Series After Defeat to Afghanistan

Bangladesh’s campaign in the tri-nation One Day International series came to a disappointing end on Wednesday after they suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Afghanistan in Sharjah. A familiar batting collapse saw the Tigers dismissed for just 160, allowing Afghanistan to complete the chase with 87 balls remaining and secure a place in the final against Zimbabwe.

Following a 99-run defeat to Zimbabwe in their opening match, Bangladesh needed to beat Afghanistan by at least 41 runs while batting first to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive. However, they failed to produce a competitive total as leg-spinner Rashid Khan claimed four wickets to dismantle the lower order. Parvez Hossain Emon marked his return to the ODI side after 15 months with a career-best 70, but his determined effort went in vain as Bangladesh were bowled out for 160 in 41.2 overs.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Bangladesh endured a disastrous start, losing four wickets for just 38 runs inside the first 10 overs. Afghanistan’s pace attack, led by Yamin Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai, struck early to put the Tigers under immediate pressure.

Yamin dismissed Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Soumya Sarkar on consecutive deliveries. Tanzid edged a short ball behind for one before Soumya was bowled for a golden duck while attempting a square cut.

Azmatullah compounded Bangladesh’s problems in the seventh over by removing Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy. Shanto edged a delivery outside the fifth stump to the wicketkeeper for 15 off 23 balls, while Hridoy returned a catch without opening his account.

Parvez Hossain Emon and Saif Hassan then revived the innings with a crucial 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket, consuming 147 deliveries. Saif scored 41 off 82 balls before Mohammad Nabi broke the stand by having him caught at midwicket.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz failed to make an impact, scoring just two off seven deliveries before falling to Bilal Sami while attempting a pull shot. He was caught at deep backward square leg, leaving Bangladesh in further trouble.

Emon continued to resist, recording his second ODI half-century in only his fourth appearance in the format. His 96-ball innings included five fours and two sixes, surpassing his previous highest score of 67 against Sri Lanka at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium 15 months earlier.

His impressive knock came to an end when Rashid trapped him leg-before-wicket. A review failed to overturn the on-field decision, leaving Bangladesh without their last established batter.

Rashid then tore through the tail, finishing with four wickets for 31 runs. He bowled Shoriful Islam before dismissing debutant Aliss Al Islam, caught at slip, and Mustafizur Rahman, bowled off consecutive deliveries.

Chasing 161 for victory, Afghanistan initially faced some resistance from Bangladesh’s bowlers. Taskin Ahmed struck twice in the early overs, bowling Rahmanullah Gurbaz for six in the third over before dismissing Sediqullah Atal for four in the seventh. Afghanistan were reduced to 39 for two, briefly giving Bangladesh hope of a comeback.

However, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi steadied the innings and ensured there would be no further setbacks. Rahmat remained unbeaten on 67 off 90 balls, while Shahidi contributed an unbeaten 36 from 54 deliveries.

The pair first put together a 56-run partnership for the third wicket to settle the chase before adding an unbroken 66-run stand to take Afghanistan comfortably across the finish line.

Taskin finished with two wickets for 36 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman claimed one for 32. However, Bangladesh’s inability to build a competitive total proved decisive, condemning them to another defeat and ending their tri-series campaign without a win.

Afghanistan will now face Zimbabwe in the final of the tri-nation ODI series.