Tigers concede heavy defeat as Afghanistan seal ODI series

Bangladesh conceded the three-match series to Afghanistan, paying the price of their wayward bowling and wretched batting, which was instrumental in their massive 142-run drubbing at the hands of Afghanistan in second ODI that turned out to be a ‍‍`do or die‍‍` game at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday.

This is Bangladesh‍‍`s largest-ever defeat to Afghanistan and their only third series defeat at home since 2015. The hosts lost the first game by 17 runs on DLS.

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran hit centuries and shared a record partnership to guide the Afghanistan to a hefty 331-9.

It was Afghanistan‍‍`s highest total against Bangladesh and third largest in its cricket history. Bangladesh were bowled out for 189 in 43.2 overs with the last batter Ebadot Hossain unable to bat due to muscle strain.
Mushfiqur Rahim on his 250th ODI as the only Bangladeshi batter battled lonely to score 69.

Gurbaz hammered his career-best 145 off 125, smashing 13 fours and eight towering sixes while Ibrahim who was less aggressive than his partner, scored exactly 100, facing 119 deliveries. He struck nine fours and one six in his fourth ODI ton.

They combined for a 256-run partnership in their opening stand, which was highest for Afghanistan in any wicket, going past 218 against Scotland in 2010.

With Afghanistan eying anything over 350 after that partnership, Bangladesh bowlers clawed back to the contest, taking nine wickets for just 75 runs.

Shakib Al Hasan led the bowling attack with 2-50 and only bowler of Bangladesh to concede less than six runs per over. Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also took two wickets apiece while Ebadot Hossain picked up one before leaving the ground with an injury.

Gurbaz put Bangladesh bowlers in sword after Liton Das who led the side following Tamim Iqbal‍‍`s retirement issue that was reversed after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina‍‍`s intervention, decided to bowl first.

He was particularly harsh on Mustafizur Rahman who was bowling short in abundance. After hitting eight fours and six sixes, Gurbaz raised his fourth century off exact 100 balls, tucking a delivery of Shakib Al Hasan toward mid-wicket for a single.

After the century, he treated against Bangladesh bowlers is disdain further but Shakib finally dismissed him via lbw, before he made more damage. Gurbaz reviewed the decision in vain.

Following the dismissal of Gurbaz, Bangladesh bowlers regrouped well to take the upper-hand of the match as they started taking wicket in regular interval.

Amid the bowlers‍‍` good work, Ibrahim Zadran brought up his ton off 118 balls, driving Mustafizur to sweeper cover for a single.

Mustafizur got rid of him immediate next delivery as Afghanistan batting line up fell like a pack of cards, much to Bangladesh‍‍`s delight.
Mohammad Nabi‍‍`s 15 ball-25 not out was the only other 20 plus score apart from the century of the duo.

Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who claimed 3-24 in the first match, also ended with 3-22 in this match to wreck havoc on Bangladesh batting line up.

He dismissed captain Liton Das (13) and Naim Sheikh (9) who came in place of Tamim Iqbal to give Afghanistan early advantage.

Offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman spun one sharply to get the better of inform Najmul Hossain Shanto, with Bangladesh at 25-3.

Shakib and Towhid Hridoy made a brief resistance but the introduction of legspinner Rashid Khan further triggered a collapse as Bangladesh lost three wickets for seven runs to be left to 72-6.

Mushfqiur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz combined for an 87-run before Mujeeb who ended with 3-40 broke through, dismissing the latter for 25.
Farooqi then broke Mushfiqur‍‍`s stubborn resistance to give Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The final ODI is on Tuesday.