Shoriful Islam was the star of the show with the ball for Bangladesh. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Azmatullah Omarzai scored a battling half-century, yet Afghanistan were bowled out for 126 runs in 45.2 overs in the third ODI in Chattogram on Tuesday.
The Afghan all-rounder scored 56 off 71 deliveries, but the Afghans failed to avoid being bowled out for their lowest total in ODIs against the Tigers, thanks to a terrific spell from Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam. The previous lowest total for Afghanistan against Bangladesh was when they were bundled out for 138 in Mirpur in 2016.
Having lost the first two matches comprehensively, the Tigers made three changes to the playing XI while Afghanistan made two changes, including giving a rest to their premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat, but they were in trouble early on with Shoriful Islam spewing fire. The left-arm quick took the first two wickets in his second over and the visitors, who were looking for a first whitewash of the Tigers, never recovered.
Shoriful, who was in for Mustafizur Rahman as part of three changes in the bowling department, finished with figures of 4-21 as Bangladesh had complete control over the Afghan batters all through the innings.
Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam took two wickets each while Shakib Al Hasan and Mehedi Hasan Miraz took a wicket apiece for the hosts. With the wicket of Nazibullah Zadran, Shakib (305 wickets) also moved to the second spot alongside New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori in the list of left-arm spinners for most ODI wickets.
Bangladesh are looking to avoid their first home whitewash in the format since 2014.
