Sharjah: Bangladesh put up a total of 244-8 in the third and final ODI against Afghanistan in a bid to clinch the series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE today. Veteran Mahmudullah was dismissed on 98, narrowly missing out on his fifth century after a string of low scores in previous matches. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 66 on a significant day as he captained the team for the first time in his 100th ODI. Miraz became the fifth Bangladesh batter to hit a half-century on his captaincy debut and the third from the country to achieve this feat on his 100th ODI. Pacer Azmatullah Omarzai played a crucial role for Afghanistan, claiming 4-37 and sparking a mini-collapse that prevented Bangladesh from reaching the 250-run mark. Miraz won the all-important toss and opted to bat first, aware that the team batting first usually wins at this ground. Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Soumya Sarkar made a promising start, sharing 53 runs for the opening stand in 8.3 overs. However, Omarz ai disrupted their momentum by dismissing Soumya for 24. Mohammad Nabi then had Tanzid caught by Hashmatullah Shahidi at cover-point, and Zakir Hasan, playing his first ODI in a year, was run out, reducing Bangladesh to 58-3. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan continued Towhid Hridoy's struggles, dismissing him for 7 with a googly. At 72-4, Bangladesh rebounded thanks to Mahmudullah and Miraz. While Mahmudullah played aggressively, Miraz focused on preserving his wicket. Mahmudullah reached his 29th fifty off 63 balls, while Miraz took 106 balls to achieve his 19th fifty. The pair accelerated the innings after their fifties, with Mahmudullah hitting Nabi for several sixes. Omarzai ended their 135-run partnership by dismissing Miraz with a slower delivery. Omarzai then took quick wickets of Jaker Ali Anik and Nasum Ahmed. In the end, Mahmudullah struggled to find boundaries in the death overs and was run out trying to complete a second run on the last ball of the innings. His innings included seven fours and three six es.
