Afghanistan sealed the one-day series with a commanding 81-run victory over Bangladesh in the 2nd ODI in Abu Dhabi, where a sluggish surface ultimately proved decisive against the visitors’ batting.

Set 191, Bangladesh folded for 109, undone by an early top-order slide and sustained pressure from the Afghan attack. Tanzid Hasan fell for a duck in the first over, Saif Hassan’s brief resistance ended on 22, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was run out for 7. Towhid Hridoy top-scored with 24 but found little support as Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4) and Jaker Ali (18) also departed without building on starts. 

Rashid Khan spearheaded Afghanistan’s defence with a five-wicket haul, removing Hridoy, Nurul Hasan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib before closing out the innings; Nangeyalia Kharote chipped in, while Azmatullah Omarzai struck early blows and finished with three wickets. 

Earlier, after winning the toss, Afghanistan were lifted to 190 by opener Ibrahim Zadran’s composed 95 off 140 balls. With partners falling around him—Sediqullah Atal (8), captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (4) and Azmatullah Omarzai (0) all departing cheaply—Zadran held the innings together, aided late by a brisk 22 from Araf Ghazanfar. 

For Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the bowling with 3 for 42, supported by Rishad Hossain’s two wickets and strikes from Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Tanvir Islam. 

The result gives Afghanistan an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, with one ODI remaining. 

SMS/