Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 68 runs to level series

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s brilliant 76 and Nasum Ahmed’s superb allround performance helped Bangladesh level the three-match series with a 68-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI on Saturday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Thanks to Shanto’s defiant knock, Bangladesh posted 252-7 before the bowlers bowled well in tandem to wrap up Afghanistan for 184 in 43.3 overs. Nasum who made crucial 25 runs, snared 3-28 to make his comeback memorable one.

Bangladesh suffered a 92-run defeat in the first match after tasting a sensational collapse that saw them losing eight wickets for just 23 runs.

Offspinner Mohammad Ghazanfar was the wrecker-in-chief with 6-26 to leave Bangladesh in shamble. Bangladesh, however, dealt with him astutely in the second match to prove that they had learnt from their mistakes.

Captain Shanto played the vital role in neutralizing Ghazanfar effect even though the teenager spinners still finished with 2-35.

Soumya Sarkar scored 35 and debutant Jaker Ali Anik, who replaced injured Mushfiqur Rahim added quickfire 37 not out to help the side take a respectable position after a mini collapse.

Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote claimed 3-28 and legspinner Rashid Khan took 2-32 for Afghanistan.

After opting to bat first, Bangladesh made a rapid start thanks to Tanzid Hasan Tamim who made 17 ball-22, negotiating pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi with utmost confidence.

Ghazanfar gave the first breakthrough, having claimed the wicket of Tanzid but Soumya and Shanto cautiously dealt with the mysterious offspinner to keep Bangladesh on course.

Rashid Khan trapped Soumya leg-before to end the 71-run partnership. Shanto then shared 53-run partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a partnership that was also broken by Rashid when he got rid of Miraz for 22.

Shanto raised his fifth ODI half-century of 75, pushing a delivery of Mohammad Nabi to mid-on for a single.

Taskin Ahmed gave Bangladesh early breakthrough by sending back Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 2.

Afghanistans who were 118-2 in 29th over were made 119-5 in 30th over and Bangladesh started operation with renewed confidence. Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib seemed to help the side recover but Shoriful broke the partnership, taking out Naib for 26 and Afghanistan eventually crumbled under pressure.

Nasum fittingly wrapped up the Afghans innings by dismissing Ghazanfar.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman grabbed two wickets while Shoriful and Taskin took one wicket apiece to complement Nasum’s three-for.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan will now play their third and series deciding ODI on Monday (November 11).