ODI Series Bangladesh VS Afghanistan
2nd Match Played at ZAC Stadium, Sagarika, Chattogram
Afghanistan 331/9 in 50 overs (Ramanullah Gurbaz 145, Ibrahim Zadran 100, Mohammad Nabi 25, Shakib Al Hasan 2/50, Mehedy Hasan Miraz 2/60.Mustafizur Rahman 2/60, Hasan Mahmud 2/70)
Bangladesh 189 All Out in 43.2 Overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 69, Shakib Al Hasan 25, Mehedy Hasan Miraj 25, Fazal Haq Farooqi 3/22, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3/40)
Afghanistan Won by 142 Runs
Afghanistan Wrapped Up the Series 2-0
Playing a vastly superior brand of aggressive cricket, much better-prepared Afghanistan wrapped up the three-match ODI series yesterday at ZAC Stadium Chattogram, winning by huge 142 runs.
It was a one-way traffic and unenterprising Bangladesh was severely bruised, battered and humiliated as Afghan batsmen hammering the toothless Bangladesh bowling set up a massive 332 runs target for Bangladesh. It was a do-or-die match for Bangladesh trailing (0-1) in the series, losing the first rain-restricted match by 17 runs on D/L method.
The home team was surviving trauma from the surprising retirement announcement of their captain Tamim Iqbal and reversal through a request of the Prime Minister day ahead of the match. Nothing went as planned as Afghanistan blasting home team attack piled up 331/9 based on a milestone-setting opening partnership of 256 between Gurbaz (145 in 125 balls) and Ibrahim Zadran (100 in 119 Balls). On a flat wicket, Bangladesh batsmen failed to cope with the talented balanced Afghan attack, getting bundled out for 189. Afghanistan, winning by 142 runs, took unassailable 2-0. Now a humiliating whitewash is looming for Bangladesh. Afghanistan never in the past won the ODI series against Bangladesh.
Tamim was on leave. Litton tossed the coin, winning it, and opted to field on a surface that ultimately proved flat. Bangladesh appeared with two changes. Mohammad Naim came in for Captain on leave Tamim and Ebadat was inducted for Taskin, given rest as part of a rotation. Gurrbaz and Zadran having a good look at Bangladesh bowling for a couple of overs, blasted Bangladesh bowling all over the park. Neither pacers Mustafiz, Mahmud Hasan and Ebadat nor Shakib and Mehidy could stem the flow of runs from all guns blazing Gurbaz and Zadran. The pair raced to 256 in 36.1 over before Gurbaz could be trapped by Shakib LBW after he scored 145 in 125 balls hammering 13 fours and 8 sixes. His partner Zadran was less brutal, scoring 100 in 119 deliveries, striking 9 fours and a six. Bangladesh bowling was in total disarray as Afghans raced to 331/9. Shakib, Mehedy, Mustafiz, and Mahmud all got wickets but leaked too many runs. It turned out that Litton read the wicket wrong. Bangladesh could have batted first without being stressed for a huge run chase on a flat surface.
The fate of the match was written on the wall. This Afghan attack is of high quality and much better balanced. Moreover, with a vision, this Afghan team took much better preparation for the series targeting Asia Cup and World Cup. The team members even prepared through the Eid Holidays in Abu Dhabi. In the absence of Tamim, Naim opening with Litton failed to deliver. Bangladesh was reduced to 3/25 within the first power play, losing Litton, Shanto and Naim. Towhid Hridoy and Shakib tried to resist. But they too departed by the 18th Over. 5/71 by the 18th over was a lost mission. Afif Hossain again had a first ball duck giving a stark reminder that ignoring Mahmudullah Riad is a great mistake. From there on Mushfique and Miraj could only do some damage control. Bangladesh's innings was wrapped up by the 44th over for 189. The massive win by 142 runs assured the visitors the series. The 3rd and the final match may witness a humiliating white wash by Bangladesh. Just remember Bangladesh was eyeing a 3-0 series win for a possible 5th position in ICC ranking before the series. None but Mushfique scoring 69 could bat with any confidence against an attack having ever improving Fazal Haq Farooqi (3/22) and ever reliable Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/40), Rashid Khan (2/ 28).
We know there will be many postmortems of the match and the series. Cricket is a mental game. Circumstances alter cases. Bangladesh team appeared to be a bit traumatized yesterday. Without taking away any credit from Afghanistan, we must say Bangladesh did not play their own game and looked down and out entirely on the day. Not only batting the bowling was wayward and fielding was ragged. Hope team management will mentor the team properly, standing beside the team at this stage.
BDST: 0853 HRS, JULY 09, 2023
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