Bangladesh restrict Afghanistan to 190 in crucial ODI

In a high-stakes clash where defeat meant elimination, Bangladesh’s bowlers rose to the occasion with a disciplined and incisive performance, bundling out Afghanistan for just 190 runs in 44.5 overs during the second ODI in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 11. 

Chasing a must-win scenario to keep the series alive, the Tigers now need 191 runs to level the contest.

Afghanistan, having won the toss, opted to bat first but were met with relentless pressure from the very start. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal provided a steady beginning, stitching together 18 runs before Tanzim Hasan Shakib struck in the fifth over. Gurbaz (11) miscued a pull shot and was caught by Zakir Ali at backward square leg.

The breakthrough opened the floodgates. In the ninth over, left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam claimed his first wicket as Sediqullah Atal (8) holed out to long-on off Tanjim Shakib’s bowling, leaving Afghanistan at 38/2.

Ibrahim Zadran then anchored the innings with grit, but Bangladesh’s bowlers ensured no partnerships blossomed. Mehedi Hasan Miraj removed Hasmatullah Shahidi (4) in the 18th over, and in the very next over, Rishad Hossain took a sharp slip catch to dismiss Azmatullah Omarzai for a duck. At 79/4, Afghanistan was reeling.

Veteran Mohammad Nabi looked to rebuild, but his 22-run knock was cut short by a stunning cover-point catch from Miraj off Tanjim Shakib’s bowling. At 118/5, the pressure mounted.

Zadran, showing remarkable composure, forged a 36-run stand with Nangialai Kharote (13), only for the latter to fall victim to a direct-hit run-out by Tanjid Tamim from the boundary—a moment of brilliance that reignited Bangladesh’s momentum. Rashid Khan followed soon after, caught behind off Miraj for just 1.

Despite losing seven wickets for 157, Afghanistan refused to fold. But Zadran’s resistance ended agonisingly short of a century. On 95 off 140 balls—laced with three fours and a six—he attempted a big hit over midwicket and was caught by Rishad Hossain at the rope, falling just five runs shy of a memorable ton.

Ghazanfar offered brief resistance with a quick 22 before becoming Rishad’s third victim. In a dramatic twist, Rahmat Shah, who had retired hurt earlier on 9, returned to bat with the ninth wicket down—but was dismissed without adding to his score, ending Afghanistan’s innings at 190.

Mehedi Hasan Miraj led the charge with 3 for 32, while Tanjim Shakib and Rishad Hossain chipped in with 2 wickets apiece, underlining Bangladesh’s collective bowling discipline.

With the series on the line, Bangladesh’s chase begins under clear skies—and renewed hope.