Sports Desk

Bangladesh set a target of 245 for Afghanistan after posting 244 for 8 in their 50 overs in the third and final ODI of the series at Sharjah.

A crucial 98 from veteran batter Mahmudullah and a patient 66 from stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz laid the foundation for Bangladesh's total, as Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Azmatullah Omarzai, posed challenges throughout.

Opting to bat, Bangladesh made a promising start, with openers Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan adding 53 runs for the first wicket.

Soumya, looking fluent, scored a brisk 24 off 23 balls but was dismissed by Omarzai, chopping one onto his stumps in the ninth over. Tanzid followed shortly after, caught by Hashmatullah Shahidi off Mohammad Nabi for 19.

Zakir Hasan, new to the crease, fell to a direct hit from Nangeyalia Kharote after a mix-up with Miraz, reducing Bangladesh to 58 for 3 by the 11th over.

Under pressure, Miraz and Mahmudullah stabilised the innings with a methodical partnership.

Miraz played a cautious knock of 66 from 119 balls, anchoring Bangladesh’s innings alongside Mahmudullah, who took a more aggressive approach. Their 145-run partnership consumed 188 balls, helping Bangladesh rebuild after the early setbacks.

Miraz was eventually dismissed in the 46th over, caught by Gulbadin Naib off another slower ball from Omarzai, but his innings provided the solidity Bangladesh needed.

Mahmudullah then took charge in the death overs, accelerating his scoring rate to ensure a competitive total. He hit seven boundaries and three sixes as he reached 98 off 98 balls.

However, he fell just short of a century, running out on the final ball of the inning while attempting a risky second run.

Omarzai finished taking 4 for 37 in his seven overs, effectively derailing Bangladesh’s late push with timely strikes.

Afghanistan’s spinners were disciplined, with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi each taking a wicket and keeping the scoring rate in check. Nabi’s economical 10-over spell, conceding just 37 runs, kept Bangladesh under constant pressure in the middle overs.

Bangladesh’s innings ended at 244 for 8, a challenging but defendable score on the Sharjah surface.

With the series tied at 1-1, Afghanistan will need a well-coordinated chase to clinch the series, while Bangladesh will look to their bowlers to deliver a series win.