Bangladesh’s campaign in the tri-nation One Day International series ended in disappointment after a seven-wicket defeat to Afghanistan in Sharjah on Wednesday. Another batting collapse left the Tigers with just 160 runs, a target Afghanistan chased down with 87 balls to spare to book their place in the final against Zimbabwe.
After a 99-run defeat to Zimbabwe in their opening match, Bangladesh needed to beat Afghanistan by at least 41 runs batting first to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive. However, they failed to post a competitive total, with leg-spinner Rashid Khan claiming four wickets to dismantle the lower order.
Parvez Hossain Emon marked his return to the ODI side after 15 months with a career-best 70, but his fighting knock could not prevent Bangladesh from being bowled out for 160 in 41.2 overs.
The Tigers, who won the toss and elected to bat, suffered an early collapse, losing four wickets for 38 runs inside the first 10 overs as pacers Yamin Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai struck regularly.
Yamin dismissed Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Soumya Sarkar off successive deliveries. Tanzid edged a short ball behind for one before Soumya was bowled while attempting a square cut for a golden duck.
Azmatullah then removed Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy in the seventh over. Shanto edged a fifth-stump delivery to the wicketkeeper for 15 off 23 balls, while Hridoy returned a catch without scoring.
Emon and Saif Hassan steadied the innings with a 93-run fifth-wicket partnership off 147 balls. Saif contributed 41 off 82 deliveries before offering a catch at midwicket off Mohammad Nabi.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz lasted just seven balls before falling for two, caught at deep backward square leg while attempting to pull Bilal Sami.
Emon, however, continued to fight, reaching his second half-century in only his fourth ODI. His 96-ball innings, featuring five fours and two sixes, surpassed his previous best of 67, scored against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo 15 months earlier.
His resistance ended when Rashid trapped him leg-before. A review failed to overturn the umpire’s decision.
Rashid then ripped through the tail, finishing with four wickets for 31 runs. He bowled Shoriful Islam before dismissing debutant Aliss Al Islam, caught at slip, and Mustafizur Rahman, bowled off successive deliveries.
In reply, Afghanistan briefly wobbled after Taskin Ahmed struck twice early. He bowled Rahmanullah Gurbaz for six in the third over before dismissing Sediqullah Atal for four in the seventh, leaving the Afghans at 39 for two.
However, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi ensured there would be no further setbacks. Rahmat remained unbeaten on 67 off 90 balls, while Shahidi made 36 not out off 54 deliveries. After a 56-run third-wicket stand steadied the chase, the pair added an unbroken 66-run partnership to guide Afghanistan home.
Taskin finished with two wickets for 36 runs, while Mustafizur claimed one for 32. But Bangladesh’s failure with the bat proved decisive, ending their campaign without a victory.
Afghanistan will now face Zimbabwe in the tri-series final.
