Sharjah: Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a crucial 76 as Bangladesh posted 252-7 in the second ODI of a three-match series against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE. This match was crucial for Bangladesh to keep the series alive following their 92-run defeat in the first ODI.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Soumya Sarkar scored 35 while Nasum Ahmed, who made a comeback to the side after the 2023 ODI World Cup, contributed 25. Debutant Jaker Ali Anik, replacing the injured Mushfiqur Rahim, added an unbeaten 37, helping the team reach a respectable position after a mini-collapse. Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote claimed 3-28, and leg-spinner Rashid Khan took 2-32. Off-spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar, who had devastated Bangladesh’s batting line-up with 6-26 in the first game, managed 2-35 this time. Bangladesh’s success lay in handling Ghazanfar effectively in this match.
After choosing to bat first, Bangladesh made a rapid start with Tanzid Hasan Tamim scoring 22 off 17 balls, co
nfidently negotiating pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. Ghazanfar provided Afghanistan with the first breakthrough by dismissing Tanzid, but Soumya and Shanto cautiously tackled the off-spinner to keep Bangladesh on track.
Rashid Khan trapped Soumya leg-before, ending a 71-run partnership. Shanto then shared a 53-run partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz before Rashid dismissed Miraz for 22. Shanto raised his fifth ODI half-century, eventually scoring 76 runs from 119 balls, including six fours and one six. Attempting to dominate Nangeyalia Khatore, Shanto lost his wicket, followed by Mahmudullah Riyad, as Bangladesh lost three wickets for nine runs, echoing their collapse in the first match.
However, Jaker Ali and Nasum Ahmed’s 46-run partnership for the seventh wicket brought Bangladesh back into contention. Kharote removed Nasum before Jaker hit some powerful shots, helping Bangladesh surpass the 250-run mark.