Gurbaz, Zadran slam tons as Afghanistan seal ODI series

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran both scored hundreds as Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh by 142 runs on Saturday (July 8) to seal their three-match One-Day International (ODI) series.

Bangladesh were attempting to put a strange week behind them after captain Tamim Iqbal shocked his teammates by announcing his immediate retirement on Thursday (July 6) only to change his mind a day later.

Afghanistan's openers laid the foundation for a mammoth total of 331 for 9 in Chittagong with their 256-run stand, a record ODI partnership for the tourists. "Obviously very happy with how it's going, the way they played the shots," Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott told reporters.

ODI hundred number four for Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and his second against Bangladesh 🌟 #BANvsAFG | #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/2B2xvMHUuZ

— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) July 8, 2023

"We were going to bat first as well, having looked at the weather... The way they played, it's natural."

Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed 3 for 22 and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 3 for 40 as Afghanistan bowled out Bangladesh for 189 in the 44th over. The victory makes Afghanistan just the second team to win an ODI series in Bangladesh in the past seven years after world champions England.

Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored for the hosts with 69 in a lonesome battle for the hosts after they were reduced to 72 for 6, with some support from Mehidy Hasan in a 87-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Mujeeb dismissed Mehidy for 25, leaving Mushfiqur too much to do. Mushfiqur holed out to Mujeeb at deep square leg off Farooqi, ending the contest with last man Ebadot Hossain unable to bat. Bangladesh, who lost the first match by 17 runs on Wednesday, had opted to bowl first after stand-in skipper Litton Das won the toss.

The hosts struggled to make breakthroughs on a green surface and by the time Shakib Al Hasan had Gurbaz leg-before, Afghanistan were already closing in on their previous best score against Bangladesh of 306 for 4.

Gurbaz, who scored his fourth ODI ton, smashed 145 from 125 balls, hitting 13 fours and eight sixes. A few other quick wickets followed as Ebadot dismissed Rahmat Shah (2), while Mehidy removed Hashmatullah Shahidi (2) and Najibullah Zadran (10). Shakib, Mehidy, Mustafizur and Hasan Mahmud each claimed two wickets for Bangladesh.

Ibrahim fell to Mustafizur for an even 100 from 119 deliveries. "One series can always go bad," Mehidy said.

"But in the recent past, we played much better cricket."

Tamim announced his retirement in an emotional press conference on Thursday, the day after Bangladesh's narrow loss in the series opener. But he withdrew his retirement after meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday, saying that he had been ordered to change his mind.

He will instead take a six-week sabbatical and be back for the Asia Cup. The third and final match of the series will be held at the same ground on July 11.

Brief scores:

Afghanistan 331 for 9 in 50 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 145, Ibrahim Zadran 100; Shakib Al Hasan 2 for 50) beat Bangladesh 189 in 43.2 overs Mushfiqur Rahim 69, Shakib Al Hasan 25; Fazalhaq Farooqi 3 for 22) by 142 runs

Player of the match: Rahmanullah Gurbaz