Afghanistan successfully chased down Bangladesh’s 245-run target with 10 balls to spare, winning the third ODI by five wickets to secure a 2-1 series victory in Sharjah.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s stunning 101 laid the groundwork for Afghanistan’s chase, while Azmatullah Omarzai’s composed 70 not out ensured they crossed the line in the final overs.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh posted 244 for 8, thanks largely to a 98 from veteran Mahmudullah Riayd and a supportive 66 from stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
The Bangladesh innings had its highs and lows, with regular breakthroughs from Afghanistan's bowlers keeping them in check.
Azmatullah Omarzai led with 4 wickets for 37, dismantling Bangladesh’s middle and lower order to restrict the final push.
Afghanistan’s chase started shakily as they lost opener Sediqullah Atal for 14, bowled by Nahid Rana with a searing delivery in the eighth over.
Rahmat Shah fell shortly after, giving a simple catch back to Mustafizur Rahman.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi struggled for runs, and his dismissal to a sharp slip catch from Soumya Sarkar off Mustafizur left Afghanistan at 84 for 3.
Rahmanullah, however, held firm at one end, scoring a measured century off 120 balls, including five fours and seven sixes.
Gurbaz showcased power and resilience, forming a 100-run partnership with Omarzai, which put Afghanistan firmly in contention. Gurbaz’s dismissal at 184 in the 39th over, caught at deep square leg by Zakir Hasan off Mehidy, briefly offered Bangladesh a glimmer of hope.
Yet, Omarzai stayed steady, pacing his innings with both caution and aggression, scoring boundaries to keep the required rate under control.
A short-lived scare followed when Gulbadin Naib was dismissed for 1, miscuing Nahid Rana to keeper Jaker Ali at 188 for 5 in the 41st over. But Mohammad Nabi’s swift 34 off 27 balls, striking five boundaries, provided the necessary finishing kick.
The Nabi-Omarzai stand ensured that Afghanistan reached the target comfortably in the 49th over.
Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Mustafizur Rahman’s 2 for 50, put in a commendable effort, with Nahid Rana impressing early on with figures of 2 for 40. However, Afghanistan’s determined batting lineup proved too resilient in the end.
With this win, Afghanistan clinched the series 2-1, marking a memorable performance in Sharjah, and proved their growing strength in international cricket.