Abu dhabi: Bangladesh were skittled out for just 109 runs to suffer a crushing 81-run defeat in the second ODI, giving Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE today. Bangladesh, which conceded a five-wicket defeat in the first game, got a glimmer of hope to level the series when they bundled out Afghanistan for 190 in 44.5 overs. But an abysmal batting led to their second consecutive bilateral ODI series loss to Afghanistan as their innings lasted only 28.3 overs. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan dismantled Bangladesh's innings with an impeccable bowling performance, taking five wickets for only 17 runs. Bangladesh batters failed to replicate the resilience shown by Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran, who hit a patient 95-run knock on a slow-paced pitch, giving his side a defendable total. Only four Bangladesh batters reached double digits, with Towhid Hridoy making the highest score of 24. Opener Saif Ha ssan scored 22, Jaker Ali added 18, and Nurul Hasan made 15. The collapse began with Tanzid Hasan Tamim's dismissal by Azmatullah Omarzai for a five-ball duck. Najmul Hossain Shanto was run out for 7 before Omarzai struck again to remove Saif, leaving Bangladesh at 40-3. Omarzai then sent back captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 4, finishing with 3-27 in seven overs. Rashid Khan joined the act by dismissing Hridoy after he and Jaker Ali seemed to stabilize the innings, their partnership ending after just 29 runs. Nangeyalia Kharote took the wicket of Jaker Ali before Rashid catalyzed further collapse, taking four more wickets to wrap up Bangladesh's innings and secure the series victory for Afghanistan. This ODI series victory is significant for Afghanistan after being swept in the three-match T20 series earlier. However, Bangladesh's bowlers had earlier put up an impressive show to contain Afghanistan to a modest total, despite Ibrahim Zadran's heroics. Zadran fought a lone battle for Afghanistan, denied a cen tury by just five runs as Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed him on 95. He was a model of perseverance amid falling wickets, playing 140 balls and hitting only three fours and one six. He was the eighth batter to be dismissed, preventing Afghanistan from crossing the 200-run mark. Besides Zadran's wicket, Miraz took two more to finish with 3-42 in 10 overs. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain supported the captain with two wickets each. Tanzim provided the first breakthrough, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 11 after Afghanistan chose to bat first. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam removed Sediqullah Atal before Afghanistan's innings faced another setback with Rahman Shah retiring hurt, unable to return to bat later. Mohammad Nabi and AM Ghazanfar scored 22 runs each, but it was insufficient to propel the side past 200.
