Batting frailties cost Bangladesh as Afghanistan win first ODI

Despite sweeping Afghanistan in the T20 series, Bangladesh's batting frailties were evident throughout. In almost every match, the team struggled at different stages of the innings, though brilliant bowling masked those issues and secured a 3–0 series win. However, those same batting weaknesses resurfaced in the opening match of the ODI series against the same opponents.

Bangladesh suffered a five-wicket defeat in the first of the three-match ODI series. The T20s were played in Sharjah, but despite a change in both format and venue, Bangladesh's batting showed no improvement. Otherwise, how could they be bowled out for just 221 in 48.5 overs? These days, even T20 sides regularly post 200-plus totals.

Poor batting meant Bangladesh could only set Afghanistan a target of 222 in Abu Dhabi. To win from there, the bowlers needed to make early inroads and the spinners had to be incisive. Neither happened. Afghanistan's first wicket fell at 52, while Bangladesh had already lost three wickets for 53 — the contrasting starts largely shaped the outcome of the match.

After Ibrahim Zadran (23) and Sediqullah Atal (3) were dismissed, Bangladesh briefly sensed a way back. But a 78-run stand off 111 balls between Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah Gurbaz dashed those hopes. Both scored exactly 50 — Rahmat caught off Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Gurbaz dismissed by captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz after a 76-ball innings featuring one four and one six.

At 136 for four, with Afghanistan losing two wickets in quick succession, Bangladesh found some renewed energy. But the visitors still needed only 86 runs off 108 balls, and the partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai and Hashmatullah Shahidi soon put the result beyond doubt. Omarzai scored a brisk 40 off 44 balls with six fours and a six before falling to Sakib, by which time Afghanistan's victory was virtually sealed. Mohammad Nabi remained unbeaten on 11, while captain Shahidi finished on 33 not out, guiding his team home with 17 balls to spare.

Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz had chosen to bat first after winning the toss, saying, "The wicket looks good — 280 would be a fighting total." That target could have pressured Afghanistan, but fragile batting told a different story. By the time the team crossed fifty, Bangladesh had already lost Tanzid Hasan (10), Najmul Hossain Shanto (2), and the in-form Saif Hassan (26).

At 53 for three, captain Miraz and Tawhid Hridoy rebuilt with a 101-run stand off 142 balls, recovering from the early collapse. Hridoy reached his fifty off 75 balls and went on to score 56 before being run out in the 36th over after a mix-up. His 85-ball innings included one four and three sixes. Once Hridoy was dismissed, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals. Rashid Khan struck crucial blows, removing the set Miraz as well as Zakir Ali Anik and Nurul Hasan Sohan before they could settle. Zakir made 10 off 16 balls, while Sohan managed seven off 14.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib's late cameo of 17 off 23 balls pushed Bangladesh to 221. Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai each claimed three wickets to restrict Bangladesh and set up Afghanistan's victory.