Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in 2nd ODI, seal series: Key stats
What's the story
Afghanistan overcame Bangladesh by 81 runs in the 2nd ODI of the three-match series in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Ibrahim Zadran was the standout performer for Afghanistan, scoring a solid 95 off 140 balls. He hit three fours and a six during his innings. However, regular wickets at the other end hampered Afghanistan's progress. In response, Rashid Khan's five-wicket haul trampled Bangladesh, who perished for 109.
Match details
Afghanistan lose 3 batters inside the 1st powerplay
Afghanistan's innings struggled to gain momentum, except for Zadran's stellar performance. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tried to attack Tanzim Hasan early on but was caught at the deep square leg boundary in the fifth over. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam dismissed Sediqullah Atal in the ninth over with an easy catch at long-on. Rahmat Shah suffered a calf injury in the 15th over, further weakening Afghanistan's batting lineup.
Game strategy
Bangladesh keep the runs down in the middle overs
Despite Zadran's presence, Bangladesh maintained a tight grip on the game. They allowed just two boundaries between the 13th and 30th overs. Zadran and Mohammad Nabi batted together for over 10 overs but couldn't really push the innings forward. Nabi was dismissed after scoring just 22 runs, handing an easy catch to Mehidy Hasan Miraz at cover.
Key moment
Mehidy Hasan takes 3 wickets, including Zadran's
Tanzim Hasan's throw from the deep ended Nangeyalia Kharote's stay before Mehidy rounded off the over with Rashid Khan's wicket. AM Ghazanfar attacked Mustafizur Rahman, scoring two fours and a six in the 41st over which went for 16 runs. Zadran was dismissed in the 44th over when Rishad Hossain took a brilliant catch at the deep midwicket boundary, giving Mehidy his third wicket of the match.
Information
Mehidy races to 117 ODI wickets
Mehidy's 3/42 took him to 117 wickets from 110 matches at 36.47. Against Afghanistan, he owns 17 wickets from 16 matches at 33.47.
Zadran
8th fifty in ODIs for Zadran
Zadran's 95 from 140 balls had three fours and 1 six. He has raced to 1,778 runs from 38 matches at a solid 50.68. This was his 8th fifty in ODIs (100s: 6). As per ESPNcricinfo, Zadran has scored 376 runs from 8 matches at 53.71. This was his 3rd fifty-plus score against Bangladesh (50s: 1, 100s: 1).
Information
Bangladesh's innings didn't have any momentum
Towhid Hridoy was the top scorer for Bangladesh with 24 runs. However, he threw his wicket away. The Tigers never roared with the bat and succumbed against Afghanistan's bowlers.
Rashid
Maiden fifer for Rashid against BangladeshÂ
Rashid's fifer saw him get to 207 wickets from 116 matches at 19.87 (ER: 4.21). This was his 6th fifer in ODIs. He also owns six four-fers. Against Bangladesh, he owns 32 wickets from 18 matches at 20.65. As per ESPNcricinfo, this was his maiden fifer against Bangladesh. In the UAE, Rashid owns 66 wickets from 26 matches at 13.03 (5w: 3).
Do you know?
2nd Afghan bowler with an ODI fifer against Bangladesh
Rashid is now the 2nd Afghan bowler to take a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in ODIs. Youngester Allah Ghazanfar is the only other bowler with this feat, claiming 6/26.
Do you know?
Lowest ODI team total for Bangladesh against the Afghans
The score of 109/10 is Bangladesh's lowest total against the Afghans in ODIs. Before this, their lowest score read 119/10 in Abu Dhabi back in 2018.