Bangladesh v Afghanistan, 3rd ODI, Review: Tamim ton powers Bangladesh to an easy series win

After being held in a see-saw position in the series, Bangladesh came out with full force to thrash Afghanistan by a massive 144 runs and pocket the three-match series by a 2-1 margin.

The inspired looking Afghanistan team was no match for Bangladesh’s all-around performance today. The hosts looked well-prepared and determined to make a bold statement about their dominance in home conditions.

Batting first after winning the toss, Tamim Iqbal’s 8th ODI ton and Sabbir Rahman’s skillful half-century propelled Bangladesh to a respectful 279/8 in 50 overs. Afghanistan, in reply, crumbled badly and could muster 138. Mosharraf Hossain, who made his comeback to the national team after eight years, was the top performer with the ball taking 3/24 in his 8 overs spell.

A historic series win was beckoning the visitors but they were simply failed to emulate the batting performances they displayed in the previous two games.

The Afghan bowlers had a superb start. Off-spinner Mohammad Nabi created pressure on the openers straightaway. He began with a maiden over against Tamim Iqbal. Later, he gave a scare to Tamim Iqbal when he miscued a pull shot in the 3rd over. Unfortunately, Asghar Stanikzai put down the catch and dropped Iqbal for the second time in the series. The last time he did no damage but, this time, he made them pay dearly.

Iqbal learned from his mistake and played cautiously thereafter and switched gears only after his team reached a comfortable stage. Soumya Sarkar’s woeful run, however, continued as he nicked Mirwais Ashraf to the wicketkeeper in the sixth over.

But, his departure sort turned out to be a boon as Sabbir Rahman then came in and together with Iqbal both added runs at a steady rate. The 50 came up in 10.4 overs and the 100 run mark was brought in the 21st over just after a couple of over after Iqbal completed his fifty.

Iqbal slowly began to flex his arms and Rahman, who initially played second fiddle, shifted gears to take the attack to the Afghanistan spinners. The pair batted another 10 overs together and hit 140-run together to lay a perfect platform for the rest of the other to take advantage.

The stand came to an end in the 31stover when Rahman, soon after launching Rahmat Shah for six, sliced one to short third man.

Tamim was unaffected though as the team was in good position. He carried on brought up his 7th century batting in Shakib Al Hasan’s company. Fortunately, for Afghanistan, their spinners began fighting back and snapped some quick wickets. Iqbal departed shortly after his milestone while the middle order was rocked by Rashid Khan who took two of them and finished with 2 for 39 in 10 overs.

But, before Afghans could take any bigger advantage, Mahmudullah lifted Bangladesh to 279 for 8

In reply, Afghanistan could survive against the Bangladeshi bowling attack led by Mosharraf Hossain. Mohammad Shahzad continued being off color and departed for just a single run. After the initial jolt, Nawroz Mangal and Rahmat Shah played together to add a 47 runs for the second wicket before they collapsed fatally and were bowled out in 33.5 overs.

Left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain began the downfall with the wicket of Mangal and Hashmatullah Shahidi in the space of three balls in 14th over.

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed then broke the back with two more quick wickets of that of Rahmat Shah and Samiullah Shenwari. Najibullah Zadran and Rashid Khan hung around in the middle and delayed Bangladesh’s win. However, the greed for a quick single resulted in Rashid Khan getting run out at the non-strikers.

After the fall of Rashid, it was only a matter of a couple of overs before the Bangladeshi wrapped off the innings and sealed the series win handsomely.

Brief Scores

Bangladesh: 279/8 in 50 overs (T Iqbal 118; Rashid Khan 2/39)

Afghanistan: 138 33.5 overs (Rahmat Shah 36; Mosharraf Hossain 3/24)

Man of the Match: Tamim Iqbal

Man of the Series: Tamim Iqbal