Sharjah: A batting meltdown after a strong start led Bangladesh to a 92-run defeat to Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series opener today at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Opting to bat first, Afghanistan recovered from a precarious 71-5 to post 235 before being all out. Bangladesh, despite a promising beginning, found themselves in a dire situation after reaching 132-3, only to collapse spectacularly, losing seven wickets for just 11 runs. The team was ultimately bundled out for a meager 143 in 34.3 overs. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, an 18-year-old off-spinner, Ghazanfar, wreaked havoc on Bangladesh's batting line-up, claiming a career-best 6-26, including three wickets in a single over, which triggered the collapse. Ghazanfar provided the initial breakthrough in the fourth over of Bangladesh's chase, dismissing opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim for 3. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar kept Bangladesh in contention, sharing a 53-run stand for the second wi cket. The partnership was broken when Azmatullah Omarzai had Soumya caught by Fazalhaq Farooqi after he scored 33 off 45 balls. Shanto found support in Mehidy Hasan Miraz and seemed poised to steer the team to victory. However, veteran Mohammad Nabi claimed Shanto's wicket for 47, following a 55-run partnership with Mehidy, leading to the unexpected collapse. Ghazanfar's dismissal of Mehidy for 28 and Rashid Khan's wicket of Mahmudullah Riyad for 2 further compounded Bangladesh's woes. Ghazanfar then claimed three wickets in one over, including Mushfiqur Rahim (1), to complete his maiden five-wicket haul, and wrapped up Bangladesh's innings by dismissing Shoriful Islam. Earlier, half-centuries from Mohammad Nabi and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi helped Afghanistan recover from their shaky start. Nabi's team-best 79-ball 84 and Shahidi's patient 52 off 92 balls, which included just two boundaries, were crucial in stabilizing Afghanistan's innings. Their partnership of 104 runs for the sixth wicket came after Afghanistan was reduced to 71-5 in the 20th over. Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed (4-53) and Mustafizur Rahman (4-58) shared eight wickets between them, initially putting Afghanistan in a spot of bother at 35-4 after Shahidi opted to bat first. Taskin struck early by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 5, and Mustafizur soon followed with the wicket of Rahamat Shah (2). Mustafizur's double strike further troubled Afghanistan by removing Sediqullah Atal (21) and Azmatullah Omarzai for a duck. Shahidi and Gulbadin Naib attempted a recovery, but Taskin dismissed Naib for 22, breaking their 46-run partnership. As Bangladesh looked to expose Afghanistan's tail, Nabi counterattacked, leaving Bangladesh's bowlers in disarray. Despite some missed opportunities due to fielding errors, Mustafizur eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Shahidi after his 22nd fifty. Nabi raised his 17th fifty off 52 balls but was caught by Tanzid Hasan Tamim, ending his hopes of reaching a century. Nangeyalia Khatore's unbeaten 27 prov ided a finishing touch to Afghanistan's innings. The second ODI is scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.
