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In ODI series opener between Afghanistan and Bangladesh at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan emerged victorious by 92 runs. After choosing to bat first, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 235 runs, with Mohammad Nabi playing a pivotal role in their innings. Bangladesh, however, faltered during their chase, as Allah Ghazanfar’s six-wicket haul dismantled their batting lineup, leading to an emphatic win for the Afghan side.
Afghanistan’s Innings: Mohammad Nabi shines
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Afghanistan had a shaky start with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal departing early. Gurbaz managed only 5 runs off 7 balls, while Atal contributed 21 off 30 balls. The top order struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack, with Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai also falling cheaply, leaving Afghanistan at a precarious 35/4.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (52 off 92 balls) anchored the innings, stabilizing the score alongside Mohammad Nabi, who played an aggressive and much-needed innings of 84 runs off 79 balls. Nabi’s knock included 4 fours and 3 sixes, providing momentum and helping Afghanistan recover from their early losses. Lower down the order, Nangeyalia Kharote chipped in with a quick 27 off 28 balls, further boosting the total. Bangladesh’s bowling was led by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, both claiming four wickets each and ensuring Afghanistan couldn’t bat out the full 50 overs, bowled out for 235 in 49.4 overs.
Bangladesh’s Innings: Allah Ghazanfar’s six-wicket haul
Chasing 236, Bangladesh struggled from the outset. Tanzid Hasan departed early for just 3 runs, and while Soumya Sarkar provided a solid start with 33 off 45 balls, he couldn’t find enough support from his teammates. Najmul Hossain Shanto played a composed knock of 47 from 68 balls, but apart from him, none of the other batters could mount a serious challenge.
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The highlight of Afghanistan’s bowling came from 18-year-old left-arm spinner Allah Ghazanfar, who ripped through the Bangladeshi batting lineup with an impressive six-wicket haul, conceding just 26 runs in his 6.3 overs. His spell effectively sealed the game, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 143 all out in just 34.3 overs. Rashid Khan also played a vital role, claiming 2/28 in his 8 overs.
Key performances and Player of the Match
With his exceptional spell, Allah Ghazanfar was awarded the Player of the Match. His performance, combined with Mohammad Nabi’s crucial knock, allowed Afghanistan to dominate the first ODI. The series now moves to the second match, scheduled for November 9, where Bangladesh will look to bounce back and level the series.
