Sharjah:Bangladesh was dismissed for a mere 160 runs in 41.2 overs despite a valiant effort from Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored a career-best 70, in their critical tri-nation ODI series match against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh needed to win the match by more than 40 runs to secure a spot in the final. However, the team's erratic batting performance led to their downfall as they failed to utilize the full 50-over quota.
Legspinner Rashid Khan was instrumental in Afghanistan's victory, claiming four wickets for 31 runs. Before Rashid's intervention, Bangladesh had already lost half of their side due to reckless batting. Pacer Yamin Ahmedzai struck early, dismissing opener Taznid Hasan Tamim for 1 and Soumya Sarkar for a duck in consecutive deliveries. This was after Bangladesh captain Towhid Hridoy decided to bat first.
Azmatullah Omarzai further compounded Bangladesh's woes by removing Najmul Hossain Shanto for 15 and Hridoy for a duck, leaving the team reeling at 28-4 by the seventh over. Emon, replacing the injured Liton, tried to stabilize the innings alongside opener Saif Hassan. Together, they formed a 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Saif contributing 41 runs before falling to Mohammad Nabi.
Emon reached his second fifty in his fourth ODI but could not convert it into a larger score. Rashid Khan's spell triggered a collapse, including Emon's dismissal after he hit five fours and two sixes in his 70 off 96 balls. Bangladesh's last five wickets fell for just 39 runs, sealing their fate in the match.