In a dominant display of cricket, Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh by 92 runs in the first ODI of the series, sending a clear message of their growing strength on the international stage.Bangladesh lost eight wickets for just 23 runs after a terrific start at 120/2 while chasing 236.Mohammad Nabi & Allah Ghazanfar help Afghanistan take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Afghanistan’s Solid Foundation:
Afghanistan’s batting lineup laid down a strong foundation, posting 235 all out in 49.4 overs. Mohammad Nabi was the star of the show, playing a vital knock of 84 runs off 79 balls, combining aggression with smart shot selection. Alongside him, Hashmatullah Shahidi anchored the innings, steadying the ship with 52 runs off 92 balls. The lower order fought hard, with Kharote adding a quickfire 27* and Gulbadin Naib’s 22 helping Afghanistan set a challenging target for the Tigers.
Also Read: Pakistan’s Training Camp Ends Ahead of T20 Series vs Australia, Naseem Shah Fully Recovered
Bangladesh’s Struggles with the Bat:
Chasing down 236, Bangladesh never really found their rhythm. Despite a fighting 47 from Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was the lone warrior in their innings, the rest of the batting line-up crumbled under pressure. Soumya Sarkar (33) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (28) provided some resistance, but Afghanistan’s bowlers proved too strong.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Brilliance:
It was the Afghan bowlers who truly stole the show, with Ghazanfar leading the charge, claiming a match-winning 6 wickets for just 26 runs. His spell decimated Bangladesh’s top and middle order and was the turning point of the match. Rashid Khan, as always, was the epitome of control, taking 2 wickets for 28 runs in 8 overs. Mohammad Nabi also chipped in with a wicket, while Azmatullah Omarzai added another to complete Bangladesh’s misery.
The Result:
With Bangladesh all out for just 143 in 34.3 overs, Afghanistan cruised to a 92-run victory, marking an epic start to the series. This remarkable win not only boosts Afghanistan’s confidence but also signals their growing prowess as a force in world cricket.
Afghanistan will be aiming to carry this momentum forward into the upcoming games, while Bangladesh will have to regroup quickly if they hope to fight back.
Player of the Match:
Allah Ghazanfar His outstanding performance with the ball earned him the Player of the Match award against Bangladesh in the first ODI
