Bangladesh Begins ODI Series with Defeat Against Afghanistan

 Staff Reporter | PNN

Following their T20 series whitewash, the Dhaka Tigers began the ODI series on a losing note, falling to Afghanistan by 5 wickets in the first match of the series in Abu Dhabi.

Despite winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Bangladesh was unable to post a big total. The Tigers were all out for 221 runs in 48.5 overs. The main batting contributions came from Towhid Hridoy and Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who added 101 runs for the fourth wicket. Captain Miraz scored a match-high 60 runs, while Hridoy contributed 56. In his ODI debut, Saif Hasan, the hero of the last T20 match, scored 26 runs off 37 balls.

Chasing the target, Afghanistan faced little trouble and reached 226 runs with 17 balls to spare. Opening pair Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmatullah Gurbaz added 52 runs together, with Gurbaz scoring 50 and Rahmat 50 runs. For Afghanistan, Azmatullah Omarzai took 3 wickets and was named Man of the Match.

The second match of the series will be held at the same venue on Saturday.

Brief Score:

• Bangladesh: 221 all out in 48.5 overs (Miraz 60, Hridoy 56, Saif 26; Rashid 3-38, Omarzai 3-40, Gajonfar 2-55)
  
  

• Afghanistan: 226-5 in 47.1 overs (Gurbaz 50, Rahmat 50, Omarzai 40; Tanzim 3-31)
  
  

Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets
Man of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai