Abu dhabi: Bangladesh is determined to learn from past mistakes as they face Afghanistan in the second match of the three-match ODI series at Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 PM (Bangladesh Time) tomorrow (Saturday).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh entered the ODI series with high hopes after a clean 3-0 sweep in the T20 format but failed to carry that momentum into the first ODI, losing by five wickets. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz expressed that there is no reason to panic despite the defeat in a format that is usually considered their forte.
"We had a chance. Now we have an opportunity to get better because we know we had some mistakes this match, and we need to learn from these matches as soon as possible," Miraz said.
The first match unfolded in a familiar pattern for Bangladesh. After a top-order collapse, Miraz and Towhid Hridoy provided some resistance with a 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Hridoy's run-out after scoring 56 triggered another collapse, leading to Bangladesh being bowled out for 221 in 48.5 overs. Miraz was the top scorer with 60 runs.
Afghanistan chased down the target with relative ease, despite a few hiccups. Miraz acknowledged that the team was 40 runs short but remained hopeful that this realization would help them as they aim to level the series.
"I am confident that our boys will do well in the next match. Already, we lost 40 runs on this wicket," he stated. "I mentioned that if we could get 260 plus, it would definitely be better, because we are a good bowling side, and we are not giving away many runs. The problem is in the back end; we need to get partnerships."
Historically, Bangladesh has a slight advantage over Afghanistan in ODIs, with 11 wins compared to Afghanistan's nine out of the 20 encounters. However, Afghanistan had won the last bilateral ODI series between the two teams by a 2-1 margin in 2024, also in the UAE.
The squads for both teams remain unchanged, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz leading Bangladesh and Hashmatullah Shahidi captaining Afghanistan.