BAN vs AFG 2nd ODI | All-Round Afghanistan Seals Historic Maiden ODI Series Against Bangladesh
Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz for Afghanistan. [Twitter]
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 331/9 in 50 overs- [Rahmanullah Gurbaz 145 (125), Ibrahim Zadran 100 (119); Shakib Al Hasan 2/50 (10), Mustafizur Rahman 2/60 (10) beat Bangladesh 189/10 in 43.2 overs [Mushfiqur Rahim - 69 (85), Shakib Al Hasan - 25 (29); Fazalhaq Farooqi - 3/22 (7.4), Mujeeb Ur Rahman - 3/40 (10)] by 142 runs.
Afghanistan created history as they defeated Bangladesh by 142 runs in the Second ODI of the three-match series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram and won their maiden ODI series against Bangladesh with one match remaining.
Record Opening Stand Powers Afghanistan To A Huge Total
After being bat first, Afghanistan got off to a solid start as they managed 67 runs on the board without losing any wicket in the first ten overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was looking very good as he looked untroubled and kept scoring boundaries regularly. His fellow opener, Ibrahim Zadran kept his cool at the other end and played a brilliant second fiddle to a rampant Gurbaz.
The duo went on to add a huge 256 runs for the first wicket, a record highest partnership for Afghanistan in the 50-over format. Gurbaz scored his fourth ODI century and departed falling five short of his maiden ODI 150.
The following Afghanistan batters tried to continue the onslaught but crumbled like a pack of cards as the visitors went from being 256 for none to 286 for 4 inside eight overs. Ibrahim also departed after scoring his fourth ODI century.
Afghanistan were placed nicely to score above 350 at one stage but Bangladesh bowlers made a brilliant comeback to restrict them for 331 in 50 overs. Shakib Al Hasan was once again the pick of the bowlers for the hosts with two wickets and 50 runs in his ten overs.
Bangladesh goes down without a fight
Mushfiqur Rahim for Bangladesh [Twitter]
Chasing a mammoth 332, Bangladesh got off to a very bad start as they were limited to three down with only 28 runs on the board in the first powerplay. Fazalhaq Farooqi was leaving no stone unturned as he gave away just six runs and scalped two wickets in his first five overs.
Shakib Al Hasan alongside Towhid Hridoy tried to rebuild the innings but failed as Rashid Khan took two quick wickets following the powerplay to further derail the hosts. However, Mushfiqur Rahim was the only Bangladeshi batter to show some fight till the end.
Eventually, Bangladesh fell short by a huge 142 runs as they were bowled out for 189 inside 44 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi continued his good form as he scalped three wickets, including the wicket of Rahim at the end. Mujeeb Ur Rahman too scalped three wickets for 40 runs in his 10 overs.
 "Kaushik Kashyap")
