Afghanistan vs Bangladesh ODI Tri-Series in UAE, 2026

That's it. Shahidi hits the winning runs. Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets. Short delivery, closer to the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi creates room by backing away and cuts it between backward point and short third. The ball just refuses to speed to the fence and stops in the outfield, and the batters stroll back for the second run.

Full on middle, Shah clips it to long on for a single.

Pushed full on the leg stump, Rahmat misses the flick and is hit on the front pad.

Full and onto the stumps, Shahidi pushes it to cover.

Flat, full, on leg, drilled down to long on for a single.

Spins down the leg stump, on a fuller length. Rahmat Shah collapses his back knee to sweep-pull but misses and the ball hits his front thigh pad. Jokingly, Mehidy Hasan Miraz himself signals to the umpire that it is going down leg.

A tad short on off, Shahidi cuts it off the back foot to deep backward point for a single. Just a matter of a hit, then. Afghanistan need 4 runs.

Full and on off, tapped gently off the front foot to point.

Short outside off, Shahidi punches it to cover-point, fails to pierce the gap.

On the fourth stump, Shah eases the length ball to cover-point.

On the stumps, on a length. Rahmat whisks it to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

A needless miscommunication in the middle! Very full on off, Shahidi smashes it to mid off. Najmul Hossain Shanto fumbles and the ball parries to the deep. Both batters hesitate, once, twice, thrice, before eventually crossing over for a single.

On a good length, around off, Shahidi guides it to the rigth of short third. A diving stop there by the fielder denies the single.

Spins away, on a length, Shahidi cuts it to backward point.

Short, outside off, left alone.

It seems like the ball has gone out of condition and the umpires are having a look at it. With just one more over left before choosing one of the two balls for the remainder of the contest, the fourth umpire comes out with a box os used balls and one of them is selected to be used in this over.

Another short ball, outside off, Shahidi cuts it along the ground to deep point for one more.

Shortish delivery, outside off, Rahmat backs away and cuts it through cover-point for one run.

Flat and full, drilled back to the bowler.

Fractionally full on middle, Shah goes low on his knee and sweeps it to deep backward square leg for two more. 10 runs needed as 150 comes up for Afghanistan.

Pushed full on leg, Shah advances and knocks it to a straightish mid-wicket.

Shortish delivery, outside off, Shahidi cuts it behind point for an easy single.

Looped fuller, on middle, Rahmat pushes it back to the bowler.

Drifting down leg, on a length, Hashmatullah Shahidi whips it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! In a hurry to get the job done now! Too short and outside off, Shahidi stays deep inside the crease and nails the pull shot over mid-wicket for a boundary. That also brings up the 50-run partnership between this pair. Afghanistan need 14 runs to win.

Shortish delivery, outside off, Shah hangs back and punches it to deep extra cover for a single.

Too full and outside off, Shahidi slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Pitched full around off, Shahidi leans on and caresses it to short third.

The issue has been resolved and we are back on track.

1 run, the batter goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid wicket for a single.

1 run, the batter comes forward and plays an off drive for a run.

1 run, this is driven through mid on for a single.

No run, a gentle push by the batter but cannot pierce the gap.

1 run, the cover drive is played for a run.

No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.

1 run, that is punched off the back foot for a single.

1 run, this is driven through mid on for a single.

Four! That is a boundary. The batter flicks this with great timing and finds the fence.

No run, a gentle push by the batter but cannot pierce the gap.

Four! No need to run for that. The batter comes forward and punches it through covers. Finds the fence.

No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.

Drinks Break! It's been a sluggish but steady run chase from Afghanistan. Their batters haven't tried to hit the ball in the air, and have just kept rotating strike with an odd sprinkling of boundaries here and there. They need just 34 runs to win and would look to get the job done without losing any more wickets. Bangladesh are already out of the finale race. It was always an uphill task, but their bowling unit has shown that they can still strangle any batting if conditions favor the bowlers. If only they had around 40-50 more runs, things could've been really interesting. There seems to be a broadcast issue from the stadium. We will get back shortly when it is resolved.

Full and straight, sliding it in. Shahidi takes a step forward to crash it through the off side but gets an inside edge through backward square leg for one run.

A bit quicker and fuller, slanted back in at the stumps. Shahidi watchfully defends.

Flighted ball at the stumps, Shahidi blocks it off.

Full and at the stumps, driven down to long on for a single.

Tossed up outside off, Shah steps out and lifts it over covers, getting it wide of the fielder in the deep for a couple of runs.

Flighted ball, a bit full and getting it to dip on the batter. Rahmat Shah gets pushed back and jams it across to the on side.

Full of a good length, on off and angling away. Shahidi stays compact and just opens the bat face a bit, steering it to cover-point.

Full-pitched delivery at the stumps, Shah gets forward and inside the line a bit, punching it down the deck and to the left of mid on for a single.

On a length, wide outside off and going straight on. Shah strides forward and makes a leave.

A length ball outside off, Shahidi gets his hands out and drives it past the diving point fielder for a single in the deep.

Full of a good length, in and around off. Shahidi rocks back and pushes it out to cover-point.

Back of a length and outside off, sitting up nicely for the batter. Shah stands upright and punches it square to deep point for a run.

Held back a bit and bowled flatter on off stump. Shahidi stays back and stbs it down on the off side.

Tossed up, just outside off, driven off the front foot but straight to cover.

Floated up on off stump, Shahidi gets forward to defend.

Afghanistan have crossed 120, and with that, Bangladesh cannot progress further. Which means, Zimbabwe are into the final of this ODI tri-series. They will face the Afghans on Friday, 23rd October, here in Sharjah.

A bit more round-arm, sliding it in from wide outside off. Shahidi initially leans on but then stays back and plays a late deft touch to the right of the short third fielder, picking up a couple of runs.

Full and flat at the stumps, Shah uses his feet to come down the pitch and eases it down to long on for a single.

Flighted up on a length, turning in from middle. Shah halfway forward and works it across to mid-wicket.

Full and wide outside off, Rahmat Shah leans on and pushes it through covers for a single. Shah also brings up his FIFTY, a 34th ODI half-century for the Afghanistan skipper. No one has more ODI fifties for his country than he does.

Another short ball, this time over off and a bit more high around the left shoulder. Shahidi misses the pull and the ball goes off his shoulder and down to deep third for a leg bye.

FOUR! That's been smoked. Banged in short again, a bit straighter and not all that high. Shahidi gets on top of the bounce and hammers th pull to the right of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Taskin comes around the wicket and hits the deck hard, attacking the top of off. Shahidi stays back to defend.

A bit indecisive from Shahidi. Short-pitched delivery over middle and leg, Shahidi gets down on his knees and at the last moment, he tries to ramp it over the keeper, but fails to connect.

Back of a length and outside off, Rahmat Shah nudges it down with soft hands, getting it through cover-point for a single. Nelson's up for Afghanistan, as they are 111/3 now.

Halfway through the chase. Afghanistan need 51 runs to win, and they are just 10 runs away from knocking Bangladesh out.

Pushed through flatter now, sliding it back in. Shahidi looks to drive at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Just 2 runs off it.

Held back a bit by Miraz this time, looking to cut it back between bat and pad. Shahidi watchfully defends.

Nice loop on this one. Full and drifting onto the stumps. Shahidi strides out to defend.

Tossed up on the stumps, Shah comes forward and strokes it along the turf and down to long on for a run.

Nicely floated up, outside the line of off stump. Shah lunges across and blocks it off.

Fractionally short on off, Shahidi looks to cut but ends up jamming it down to the right of the bowler. Miraz dives over the ball and it rolls down to long off for a single.

Good length, around the fifth stump. Shah gets forward and hits it on the up, but finds the fielder at mid off. Afghanistan just need 12 more runs to knock Bangladesh out of the final's race.

Banged in short over off, angling it back in. Shahidi swivels back and plays a controlled pull shot down to deep backward square leg for a run.

Fuller this time, closer to the off stump as well. Shahidi leans on and caresses it to the left of the point fielder.

Short of a length, slanted back in from wide outside off. Shah stands tall and punches it down to deep cover for one more.

Hard length, on the fifth stump line. Shahidi dabs it down past covers and picks up a single.

Beaten! Taskin returns and bowls it back of a length, angling it across off. Shahidi presses up on his toes and looks to punch but is beaten past the outside edge.

Good length on off, eased off the back foot through covers for a single.

Pushed through a bit fuller and quicker on off. Shahidi lunges to defend.

Marginally short now, angled back into the stumps again. Shahidi rocks back and stabs it down to point.

Nagging length, sliding back in towards the stumps. Shahidi stays back and chops it down to point.

Nicely flighted, just outside off. Shahidi presses forward and defends it to cover. The batters think about a single, but decide against it.

On a length and sliding on, Shah backs away and punches it to deep cover for a run.

Full again, straighter this time at the legs. Shahidi turns it to mid-wicket, where the fielder makes a diving stop. For no reason, the fielder fires in a wide throw at the keeper's end, and the fielder backing up is fairly back, but thankfully for Bangladesh, the batters don't go for the run.

Full-pitched delivery around off, right in the blockhole. Shahidi moves across the off stump and jams it to mid on.

Slower ball, it is the off-cutter, landing it full and around off. Shah looks to drive but gets an outside edge down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! That's a fine shot, and the 100 is up for Afghanistan. Short-pitched delivery over off, sits up a bit for the batter. Rahmat Shah pulls it off the front foot and smokes it to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

Pitched up around leg stump, Rahmat Shah shows the full face of the bat and plays it back to the bowler.

On a hard length around off, slanting it across. Shah stays upright and defends it off.

Floated up to the stumps, Shahidi flicks it away to mid-wicket.

Flatter and on middle, punched away from the crease and down to long on for a run.

Pushed through, a bit fuller and on middle. Shah opts to play it off the back foot and nearly gets chopped on, but thankfully for him, the inside edge hits the back leg.

Nicely flighted, fuller and around off. Hashmatullah Shahidi gets a big stride forward and smothers it to cover before pinching a quick single.

Good length outside off, Shah plays it off the back foot and in front of point for a single.

On the shorter side, darting it well into the batter. Shah goes deep in the crease to keep it out.

A timely wicket for Bangladesh, and that brings former Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi to the crease. Also, Mehidy Hasan Miraz is now brought into the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft, soft dismissal and Ibrahim will have to walk back. 'The Fizz' goes full on leg, and it holds on the surface a touch as well. Ibrahim Zadran goes for the flick shot but closes his bat face a fraction early and a thick leading edge is found. The ball spoons up in the air over short mid-wicket. Najmul Hossain Shanto turns back over his right shoulder, keeps his eyes locked on the ball and takes a well-judged catch whilst running. Zadran is disappointed with himself and Afghanistan are 95/3, needing another 66 runs to win.

FOUR! Powerfully struck! On that 6-8 meter length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and whacks it over mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. Runs have started to come at a good clip for Afghanistan now.

Length-delivery, on the leg stump, Zadran presses back and bunts it back to the bowler.

Fuller than a length, onto the pads, Ibrahim Zadran steers it behind square leg for a couple of more runs. Afghanistan need 70 runs to win.

Hammered short on middle, Rahmat swivels and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single. That brings the 50-run partnership up between Rahmat and Ibrahim.

Excellent running! Back of a length, outside off, Rahmat dabs it through backward point and run the first one hard. Taskin Ahmed, from deep third, is a tad slow to attack the ball and seizing this opportunity, they convert a single to a double.

Ibrahim Zadran continues to look fatigued out there in the middle, and there will be another slight halt.

At 85.1 kph, short outside off, Ibrahim Zadran backs away and goes for the cut shot, but gets a massive outside edge. The ball shoots wide of the short third fielder and once again, just stops before the ropes. Mehidy Hasan Miraz chases it with a slide. Two runs.

Full on the stumps, worked away to long on for a single by Shah.

It's the leg break now, spinning down leg, on a length. Shah hangs back and whips it to the deep square leg region. Again, it just loses its steam in the outfield and is chased by Mustafizur Rahman. Two runs taken.

Stump-to-stump, full, Shah leans forward and smothers the spin.

Another carrom ball, full outside off, Zadran knocks it to long off for a single.

Flat and short, outside off, Zadran does not pick the carrom ball and tries to hit it through cover, but it zips past his outside edge.

FOUR! A poor delivery and it gets the treatment! Way too short and down leg. Rahmat Shah gets inside the line and just helps it behind to the deep fine leg region. There's no protection there and the ball dribbles once, twice, and thrice into the fence.

A tad full and outside off, Rahmat forces it to mid off.

FOUR! That will ease some pressure! Short of a length, on the bodyline, Rahmat Shah weighs on the back foot and nails the pull shot firmly to deep square leg. Aliss Al Islam moves to his left, dives but parries the ball to the fence. A good effort goes in vain.

Too full, on leg, pushed straight back.

Angled across off, on a hard length. Zadran stands up on his toes and bunts it through cover-point for a single. The ball is just not travelling through the outfield.

Banged short at the armpits, Shah pulls it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Another full ball which is tossed up, outside the off stump, Shah firmly strucks it to the left of mid off for a quick single.

Slightly full and outside off, drives it to mid off.

Floated up on the stumps, Zadran skips down the track and mistimes the lofted shot over mid on. It drops in the outfield, but a few good yards ahead of long on and just plugs. One taken.

A touch full and outside off, Zadran chips it on the bounce to extra cover.

Gives it a good rip, full on middle, spinning in. Ibrahim Zadran tries to swing it downtown, but the ball gets squirted off the inside edge and rolls to short fine leg.

Dishes out a carrom ball, short on middle, Rahmat goes back and across and punches it to long on for a single.

Uh, oh! Ibrahim Zadran seems to be having a fitness issue. He has called for the physio and the left ankle is the area that seems to be of concern. Zadran is provided with some rehydration and that ankle is also getting bandaged. Hopefully, it isn't all that serious and he can continue. Zadran is getting padded up again and is good to go.

Sloppy, very sloppy by Rishad! Angling into the batter on a fuller length, Rahmat Shah presents straight bat face and drills it to the left of mid on. The sub fielder, Rishad there, moves across, but he is a bit too casual and doesn't bend low enough to pick the ball up. It gets parried off his fingertips to the long on region and slows down before the ropes. It is hunted by the mid off fielder with a slide. Three runs taken.

Nagging length from around the stump, angling in. Rahmat punches it to mid on.

Around off and middle, on a good length, Rahmat defends it to cover-point.

Short in length at pace, Rahmat Shah stands tall and forces the pull over mid-wicket. Tanzid Hasan runs across to his left and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Short of a good length, on middle, Shah camps back and knocks it to short cover.

The slower off-cutter, full on middle, Shah watchfully defends it to cover.

Sliding down the leg stump, on a length, Zadran tries to hit it straight down the ground, but the ball spins in, takes a bit of a feather of the inside edge before striking the pad.

Serves it full and on off, Shah flicks it firmly to long on for a single.

Dropped a bit short, on the stumps. Zadran works it down to long on for a single. Afghanistan need exactly 100 runs to win!

Drifts on the leg stump, Shah sweeps the full ball behind square leg for a single.

FOUR! Good hit! A slot-ball really by Aliss, on off. Rahmat Shah shimmies down the track and powerfully thumps it over mid off for a boundary.

Full, on leg, flicked to short mid-wicket.

DRINKS! Well, Bangladesh are still looking the likeliest to miss out on the final, but they are fighting hard in the field. It's a shame they have very few runs to play with, but a win isn't out of the question yet. Afghanistan started quickly but have now been pushed onto the back foot. Ibrahim Zadran is still out there and will look to take his side to safety alongside his skipper.

Peppers the leg-stump line, on a length, Zadran hangs back and steers it to short mid-wicket.

On a back of a length, around off, Shah punches it on the up to the right of mid off for a quick single.

Nagging length, targetting the leg stump, Shah dinks it to the leg side.

Short of a good length, on the leg stump. Shah tries to heave it into the stands, but fails to time it nicely. It goes off the inner half of the bat but has enough on it to clear mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Banged short and outside off, Shah rides the bounce and hits it to mid off.

Slightly back of a length, on top of off, Shah knocks it straight back at the bowler.

Full and on the stumps. Zadran clips it to short mid-wicket.

Short and outside off again, Shah cuts it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Gets it through. 50 up for Afghanistan! Shortish delivery, outside off, Rahmat goes deep inside the crease and plays it as late as he can and cuts it to deep third for a boundary.

A bit too full and outside off, carved away to mid off.

An appeal for LBW, but not given. Bangladesh do no review it. Spins in from middle to leg and perhaps going down leg as well. Shah is drawn forward to defend, but gets beaten on the inside edge and is hit on the front pad.

Spins in very sharply, on a length, Ibrahim backs away and slaps it to the left of short cover. Hridoy fling to his left and makes a half-stop with his non-dominant hand and takes the sting out of the ball as it trickles behind for a single.

Landed outside leg on a good length, Shah uses his wrists to steer it on the bounce to short mid-wicket. Mustafizur starts with the maiden.

Short of a length, on the leg stump, Shah gets on the back foot and stabs it to the bowler.

A slight halt as Rahmat Shah isn't happy with his current bat and calls for a change.

On a length, on the fourth stump line, Shah crisply punches it towards the mid off fielder.

Back of a length, around off, knocked away to mid off.

Pitched full and outside off, Shah strokes it to mid off.

'The Fizz' starts with a length-delivery, on leg, Rahmat hangs back and punches it straight.

Full and outside off, Zadran pushes it to the left of the bowler.

A flighted delivery, full and outside off, Shah drills it to long off for a single.

Beauty! Rahmat had absolutely no idea about that one. Length ball, and it is the wrong'un turning in from leg stump. Rahmat shifts across to the leg side, attempting to punch it down the ground, but the ball sneaks past the inside edge and trickles away to deep fine leg. Taskin sprints after it and restricts them to just a couple.

Full again, outside off, Shah drives it to short cover.

Tossed up nicely, a bit full and around off, Shah eases it to cover.

Shortish delivery, outside off, Zadran punches it to long off for a single.

Good pressure is being built on both these batters. Two back-to-back maidens. Afghanistan need 119 runs to win. And it's time for Powerplay 2. Bangladesh will now be allowed to have a maximum of four fielders outside the circle till the 40th over. Now then, here's the mystery spinner, Aliss Al Islam, on his ODI debut.

Back-to-back maidens to end the first Powerplay. Shoriful bowls it short again, at the batter this time. Rahmat Shah just tries to angle the pull but ends up stabbing it down to the square leg fielder.

Another mistimed shot. Shorter and around off, Shah swivels and pulls it off the cue end of the blade to wide mid on. Batting doesn't seem all that easy out there at this moment. 11 straight dot balls for Afghanistan.

Hard length on off and middle, Shah looks to play a back-foot punch but ends up hitting it off the inside half of the blade to mid-wicket.

Length again, in and around off, angling it away. Shah stabs it down to point. The dots keep piling up.

Nagging length, on a tight line around off. Shah stays back and blocks it pretty late, almost off the inside edge.

Full of a good length, wide outside off and going straight on. Shah shoulders arms.

Beaten by the extra bounce, and it will be a second maiden over for Taskin Ahmed. Hammered in a good length, wide outside off. Zadran goes after the width but the ball rises high and goes over his blade.

Back of a length, on the fifth stump. Zadran stands tall and smacks it down to the cover fielder.

Length ball around off, driven on the up but straight to extra cover. Four dots in a row.

Taskin gets away with a howler here. This one slips out of the hand and ends up being a high full toss wide outside off. Zadran reaches for it and ends up just miscuing it down to covers.

Back of a length, in the channel and straightening a bit. Zadran presses back and blocks it off.

Short of a length, angled in from outside off. Ibrahim Zadran punches it down to extra cover.

A quick bumper over leg stump, right at the face. Ibrahim Zadran gets taken aback but does well to lean back and get on top of the bounce before pulling it down to deep backward square leg for a single.

Pitched full and around off, it is an attempted inswinger. Zadran gets forward and drives it without much timing to mid off.

Slower one, pitched up on off and angling away. Shah guides it down to deep third with soft hands and picks up a single.

Followed up by a sharp bumper now. Banged in short over middle and leg, angling it away with extra bounce. Shah does well to sway his head away from the line of the ball.

An inswinging yorker to greet the skipper. Full and straight, on middle. Rahmat Shah keeps the front leg out and digs it back down the pitch.

Good length on the pads, nudged away 'round the corner on the leg side for a single.

Well, Bangladesh aren't going down without a fight. Skipper Rahmat Shah is in at number 4, with Afghanistan in a bit of trouble.

OUT! TIMBER! Wow, some high-quality cricket being played out there. Taskin Ahmed one-ups Atal's eye-catching shot with a snorter of a delivery, and Afghanistan are 39/2, chasing 161. Ahmed just goes slightly wide on the crease and pitches the ball up on off stump, angling it in. Sediqullah Atal looks to cover the line and play with a straight bat, but the ball straightens beautifully off the deck and beats the outside edge to crash into the off pole.

FOUR! Well, it's taken 12 balls, but Sediqullah Atal has played an eye-catching stroke to get off the mark. Full of a good length, just outside off. Atal gets halfway forward and gloriously drives it off the middle of the bat and through extra cover for a boundary.

Pitched up at the stumps this time, and Sediqullah Atal solidly blocks it off the front foot. Atal is now on naught off 11 balls.

Well bowled again, and Atal is yet to get off the mark. Taskin comes around the wicket, angling it in from outside off and getting it to seam away. The ball keeps a bit low and Atal fails to lay a bat on it, getting beaten past the outside edge.

Hard length, into the deck and darted well across off. Atal hangs back and reaches out, ending up toe-ending it down into the off side.

Play and a miss! Full of a good length, angling it across the left-hander. Atal leans into the cover drive but is well beaten.

Fractionally short and wide, Zadran stays upright, gets on top of the bounce and hits it through covers. The substitute fielder, Rishad Hossain, gets a hand on it at cover and the ball rolls behind, but he recovers well to keep it down to two runs.

Bowled from around the wicket, just back of a length and angled into the batter. Zadran rocks back to defend.

That's well-fielded. Good length, offering plenty of width outside off. Zadran reaches across and punches it down sweetly but Mehidy Hasan Miraz at point, springs to his right and makes a sharp stop.

FOUR! Finally, Zadran gets a full purchase and picks up a boundary. Length ball outside off, Zadran lunges across and extends his arms, nailing the drive on the up and through the gap at covers for a boundary.

Good running. Back of a length and outside off, Zadran presses back, lets the ball come on and punches it down in front of square on the off side for a couple of runs.

Pitched full and around off, Zadran gets a good stride in and punches it to mid off.

A maiden over for Taskin Ahmed. Bowled from around the wicket, pushed in from outside off, looking to straighten it off the pitch. Atal leaves it alone. Just one run off the last two overs, and that was also an extra.

This is seriously good bowling by Ahmed, but not great batting from Atal. A full ball, dished out wide of the batter, tempting the batter. Sediqullah Atal does go fishing and has to reach for it as the ball is darting away and gets beaten on the outside edge.

More of a polite enquiry from the bowler for caught behind, but the umpire shakes his head. Good length on leg, shaping in. Atal misses the flick and the ball brushes the thigh pad on its way to the keeper.

Another pearler from Taskin. Pitched up on off and middle, the ball leaves the batter beautifully. Sediqullah Atal is forced to play at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Lovely channel. Short of a good length, pitching in and around off, and darting away off the deck. Atal makes a watchful leave.

Full of a good length, angled well across the left-hander, but managing to keep it just inside thetramline. Atal leaves it alone.

Just a wide off the over, and Zadran seems to be a bit tentative against Shoriful. Pitched up on off, looking to shape it back in. Zadran gets slightly forward and punches it to cover.

That's a top nut. Full-pitched delivery, swinging it back into the toes, and it's a late swing as well. Zadran just about manages to dig it out.

On a good length, tight line over off stump, and blocked off by Zadran toward extra cover.

Just back of a length, cutting across the right-hander. Zadran rises with the bounce to punch it through covers, but inside-edges it to the right of the bowler.

WIDE! Length ball, pushed wide of the off stump, angling it past the tramline as well.

Nice and full, on off. Zadran leans on and shows the full face of the blade, easing it to mid off.

A full ball, slanted well across the off stump. Zadran reaches out and drives it into the turf as the ball pops up and is stopped around head height by the cover fielder.

Pitched up on a length and in the channel around off, getting it to nibble away off the seam. Sediqullah Atal hangs back and makes a late leave.

That was a ripper by Taskin, but Bangladesh will have to keep chipping away regularly. Sediqullah Atal, the centurion from the previous match, is in at number 3.

OUT! BOWLED! Taskin Ahmed answers right back, and Bangladesh have the early breakthrough. Ahmed pitches the ball up on off stump and gets it to deviate off the seam. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is stuck on the crease and just lunges to drive but the ball seams back in sharply and goes through the big gap between bat and pad to smash into the stumps. Bangladesh are 26/1 after 2.5 overs.

FOUR! That's been brutalized by Gurbaz, and for Afghanistan's first boundary. Short and wide, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and slashes it away, flat and hard behind point for a boundary.

Much better from Ahmed. Good length in the channel, just seaming away a touch with extra bounce. Gurbaz has a feel for it outside his off stump, but is well beaten.

Zadran simply cannot believe it as another one doesn't race away to the fence. Banged in a bit short and wide, Zadran gets up on his toes and smacks it down wide of point. The ball slows down as it rolls across the turf and the fielder at point is able to hunt it down. Three more added to the total.

FIVE WIDES! Second time that Taskin has gone for the big in-dipper, and both times, he has faltered. Full and angled into the pads from wider on the crease, but the ball darts well down leg, past the diving keeper and into the fine leg fence.

Good-length delivery, slanted back in towards the front pad. Zadran stays put and stabs it down to mid-wicket.

Another glorious shot that doesn't quite have the legs to travel to the fence, and Zadran has a wry smile on his face. Pitched further up, on off stump. Ibrahim Zadran shows the full face of the bat and drives it through mid off. Mustafizur Rahman chases after it as the batters come back for the third run.

Good length, around the top of off, with a hint of an inward movement. Zadran taps it off the sweet spot of the bat and towards mid off.

Ooh, a hint of movement and Zadran is beaten on the inside edge. Short of a good length, seems to be angling across off but cuts back in sharply and beats the bat.

Back of a length, angled across off. Ibrahim Zadran stays upright and punches it down through the gap at covers, picking up another brace.

Shorter in length, over middle and leg, doesn't rise much. Gurbaz goes to pull but gets it off the inside edge and down to long leg for a single.

The inswinger, pitched full and wide of the off stump, doesn't swing back in much. Gurbaz steps out and then decides to just leave it alone.

Shoriful Islam will operate from the other end.

Full of a good length, around middle and angling in. Zadran stabs it down in front of mid-wicket. 8 runs off the first over of the chase.

Seemed gloriously timed, but the ball plugs in the outfield. Back of a length and on off, Zadran gets on his toes and sweetly punches it down through point and picks up two runs.

FIVE WIDES! Wayward from Taskin. Pitched up this time, swinging in but the starting line is on leg stump and the ball keeps moving, beating the diving keeper and racing away to the fine leg fence.

Back of a length, straighter in line. Ibrahim Zadran gets right behind the line and watchfully keeps it down on the off side.

Absolutely zero timing on that from Gurbaz, but he gets off the mark here. Good length on off, hitting the deck hard. Gurbaz swipes across the line but the bat turns in his hand and the ball gets smothered away wide of mid on for a single.

A heavy length again by Ahmed, darting it into the batter. Gurbaz tucks it away to mid-wicket.

Taskin hits a hard length first up, bowling it in the channel. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hangs back, watches it all the way, and taps it down to backward point.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Rashid Khan has absolutely ripped through the Bangladesh lower order, and Bangladesh are bowled out for 160. Rashid shows everyone why he is the number 1-ranked ICC bowler in ODIs and ends up with a four-fer. Another one on a good length, bowling it flatter and on off stump. The ball doesn't turn and just slides on. Mustafizur Rahman gets pushed back, and the ball skids past the inside edge to crash into the off pole. Afghanistan have kept Bangladesh to a very low total here.

Mustafizur Rahman is the last batter in for Bangladesh.

OUT! CAUGHT! Turning back the years, Nabi, 41 years young, has taken a stunning catch. Rashid dishes out a proper leg break that lands on a fuller length and spins away from the batter. Aliss is drawn forward and looks to defend, but the ball spins almost square and takes the outside edge. Now, the ball shoots between the keeper and the first slip fielder. Mohammad Nabi is alert at first slip and dives to his left. But the ball hits his left palm and threatens to drop down on the ground, but he shows great game awareness and plucks the ball with his right hand while diving. He keeps possession of the ball despite landing hard on his elbows. The on-field umpire refers it to the TV umpire to check the legality of the catch. After examining a couple of angles, it is deemed a fair catch. Rashid has his third wicket. Bangladesh are 160/9.

Has that been taken? Does seem like it, and Mohammad Nabi is the gift that just keeps giving, even at this age. Actually, the third umpire is called in to have a look. Nabi reacts sharply to his left at first slip but the ball bobbles out before Nabi manages to somehow pluck it with his right hand. OUT!

A slower one at just 98.4 kph, full onto the pads. Aliss misses his flick and the ball deflects behind to deep fine leg. They cross for a leg bye.

Almost a yorker, on off, Aliss carves it straight to backward point.

On a fuller length, on off, Aliss defends it off the front foot.

On a good length, outside off, tapped off the back foot to cover-point.

A touch full and around off, Ahmed mistimes his lofted drive, but manages to clear mid off. He thinks that the ball is racing to the fence, but it just slows down in the outfield and realising that, he starts running. Hashmatullah Shahidi is quick enough to chase the ball from the inner ring and restricts the batters down to a single. Very casual running.

Back of a length, on top of off, Ahmed hangs back and defends it to the off side.

Time for Powerplay 3. Afghanistan can now have a maximum of five fielders outside the inner ring till the end of the innings. They will aim to restrict Bangladesh below 200.

Bowled from around the stumps, flatter and just outside off. Ahmed waits back and nudges it behind point for a single.

Rashid comes around the wicket and bowls a leg-break that is attacking the stumps. Taskin Ahmed blocks it off.

On the money. Quicker and flatter, on middle, and straightening a bit. Taskin does well to keep it out.

WIDE! Dragged length, bowling it from behind the stumps at the other end, and spraying it well down the leg side for an extra.

Very full, landing it on middle and leg. Taskin Ahmed digs it out to mid-wicket.

That's a massive blow for Bangladesh at a very wrong time. They needed Emon to hang in there till the end, but it wasn't to be. Taskin Ahmed is in at number 10.

OUT! LBW! An appeal for LBW, and the finger goes up. Parvez Hossain Emon doesn't seem all that confident, but he does review it, as he should at this stage. This is the top-spinner from Rashid Khan, bowled on a nagging length and on middle, sliding straight on. Emon gets a big stride forward and looks to block but the ball pitches and beats the inside edge, going on to hit the pads. The third umpire has a look at it. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds, ending a fighting knock by Emon. Afghanistan are just 2 wickets away from bowling Bangladesh out, who are now 156/8.

Tossed up at the stumps, Emon leans on and eases it down to mid on.

Good shot, but even better fielding from Sediqullah Atal in the deep. Floated up outside off, Parvez Hossain Emon lunges across and powers the sweep through backward square leg. Atal runs to his left and puts in a big dive, and Emon is happy with the single.

Flatter one, pushed through quicker and angled into the stumps. Emon blocks it off.

Fuller and on the pads, Aliss misses the clip and the ball goes off his legs to short fine leg for a leg bye.

Flighted up, slower and drifted back in from outside off. Aliss Al Islam defends it right under the eyes.

Good length on off, tapped away in front of covers for a single.

SIX! Probably the shot of the innings. Tossed up by Nabi, on off stump. Parvez Hossain Emon dances down the track and whacks it away over extra cover for a huge six. The 150 is up for Bangladesh.

Two slips in place now. Rashid bowls a quicker one, on a good length and outside off. Aliss Al Islam has a poke at it but gets beaten past the outside edge.

The wrong'un now, at the stumps, and blocked off by Aliss.

Pushed through wide of the off stump, Aliss Al Islam pokes at it and edges it down in front of the slip fielder.

The debutant Aliss Al Islam is the new batter in.

OUT! TIMBER! What a way to answer back. Rashid Khan serves this one on a good length, bowling it quicker and from the front of the hand. Shoriful Islam gets pegged back and tries to defend but ends up getting completely squred up. The ball beats the outside edge and crashes into the stumps, and Bangladesh are now 147/7.

FOUR! Rashid errs in line and Islam picks up a boundary. A tad shorter and drifting down the leg side, Shoriful Islam stays back and glances it off the pads, down to fine leg for a boundary.

Fuller one drifted into the legs, Parvez Hossain Emon nudges it off the inside edge to short fine leg and Shoriful Islam calls him through for a quick single. Not sure if Emon wanted that and a direct hit at the bowler's end might have sent Emon packing.

Flighted delivery, in and around off, kept out by Islam.

A lot closer than expected, but it is a bump ball in the end. Nagging length again, just outside off, and inviting the drive. Shoriful Islam goes after it but gets an inside edge that goes onto the front foot and lobs straight up. Mohammad Nabi moves a couple of steps in front and to his right and pouches it, appealing for a catch. The third umpire checks the replays and confirms that the ball bounced into th boot before lobbing up. Not Out.

Is that a bump ball? Nabi is confident that he has got his man, but the on-field umpires have sent it upstairs for a review. Also, going by Gurbaz's reactions, he doesn't seem very convinced. And the replay confirms that the ball indeed bumped onto the ground before deflecting off his front boot and lobbing up to the right of Nabi who took the catch. NOT OUT.

Nice and full, on off stump. Islam gets a bit of a stride in and drives it to extra cover.

Nagging length on middle, Shoriful Islam opts to defend it off the back foot.

A bit more round-arm, sliding it into the pads. Islam keeps it out.

Fractionally short, offering width outside the off stump. Emon crunches it away off the back foot to deep point for a single.

Change of ends for Mohammad Nabi. He replaces Bilal Sami.

Floated up to the batter, Emon drives it off the inside half of the blade and back down the ground for a single.

FOUR BYES! That's beaten everyone. Tossed up, full and around off, Parvez Hossain Emon goes for the slog sweep but fails to connect and the ball stays a bit low, going through the keeper's legs and just wide of the off stump, rolling into the fence behind.

Rashid goes fuller now, bowling it just outside off. Islam squeezes it away through cover-point for one more.

Short and outside off again, Emon punches it into the open space at square covers and picks up an easy single.

On a good length, bowled quicker and flatter outside off. Islam pats it down past covers for a single.

A shorter googly, going across the left-hander. Islam chops it down toward mid-wicket.

A bit of a halt in play. The physio is out to check on Emon, who is getting his right hand treated and strapped up. After a few sips of water, he is ready to go. Also, Rashid Khan is brought back on. 5-0-20-0 so far. He replaces Mohammad Nabi.

Pace off now, around the top of off. Emon stays back and plays it late, nudging it down to backward point. A string of four dots to end the over, but 6 runs come off it.

Pitched fuller now, angling back in from wide of the off stump. Emon plays a lovely drive but can't get it past the extra cover fielder. Emon wanders out of his crease for a single, but Shoriful Islam sends him back and rightly so.

Another short ball around head height and a bit wider of the off stump. Emon leaves it alone and looks to the square leg umpire for a wide call, but doesn't get it.

Ooh, that's a superb bumper. Quick and aggressive, dug in just outside off, coming in at around helmet height. Emon does well to sway his head away from the line of the ball.

Length ball outside off, Parvez Hossain Emon goes hard at the drive again, hitting it much squarer and to the left of deep point for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Driven on the up, and Emon gets it through for a welcome boundary. Pitched up wide of the off stump, hit away forcefully and a bit uppishly but wide of a scampering Hashmatullah Shahidi at mid off for four runs.

34 overs have been bowled. Afghanistan have picked one of the two balls to continue till the end of the innings.

Good length, bowled flatter and on off. Islam rocks back and keeps it out to extra cover.

Nice and full, around off, Islam blocks it off.

Flighted up on a length and around off, drifting back in. Parvez sits down to sweep but is beaten by the bounce and the ball goes off the back of his body to short third. A leg bye is taken.

Nagging length on off, Shoriful Islam presses back and to the off side, working it away towards mid-wicket for a single.

Floated up, full and wide outside off. Emon leans on and strokes it to deep cover for a single.

Flighted ball, at just 79.1 kph and on a good length outside off. Emon waits back well before chopping it down to backward point.

Just landing in short of the fielder. A wide yorker now, Shoriful Islam jams the bat down with the bat face open and nearly steers it straight into the hands of Mohammad Nabi at first slip.

121/4 becomes 124/6 for Bangladesh and they are in deep trouble now with Emon, the only proper batter, stranded out there. Shoriful Islam is in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! One does bring two, and that's another catch for the substitute fielder. Bilal Sami brings out a bumper now, as he did very early in the over, but bowls it even shorter and around the back shoulder. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is visually uncomfortable with that length but tries to hook it away. Miraz doesn't control the shot and top-edges it down to fine leg, where it is taken safely by Nangeyalia Khan, and Bangladesh slip further to 124/6.

Just a hint of away movement. Good length, wide outside off, Mehidy Hasan Miraz throws his hands at it but the ball seams away past the outside edge.

Sami hits a hard length, bowling it on the fourth-stump line. Miraz hops back and gets right behind the line to block.

Fuller than a good length, slanted back into the front pad. Emon leans on and clips it through mid-wicket for a run more.

In the air, but it will land safely as square leg is back on the ropes. A well-directed short ball, right at the batter. Mehidy Hasan Miraz tries to pull but the ball gets big on him and he ends up jabbing at it, miscuing it towards square leg for a single.

Dragged length at the pads, tucked away neatly through mid-wicket for a single. Bangladesh are 122/5 after 32 overs.

Fuller now, on middle, and Miraz leans on to play it back to the bowler.

Good length, sliding into the batter. Mehidy Hasan Miraz works it away to mid-wicket.

Saif eventually runs out of patience after playing so well. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is in at number 7. This is the last recognised batting pair for Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be keen to get one more to get into the lower order.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's a brain-fade moment for Saif Hassan, and the coach will be livid with the way he's gotten out here. Mohammad Nabi flights it up again, in and around off, and Hassan opts to skip down the pitch and swing it over the leg side. Saif completely loses his shape and ends up slicing it high towards extra cover. The substitute fielder, Nangeyalia Khan, keeps his eyes on the ball, moves back a bit and takes a reverse-cup catch to break the 93-run stand.

Parvez Hossain Emon employs another sweep shot and gets to FIFTY, his 2nd one in ODIs. Flighted up, slower and fuller around off, Emon sits down and angles the sweep down to the right of backward square leg. The fielder dives and makes a stop, but the batters cross over. This has been a vital knock so far from Emon.

Flatter delivery, speared in with a slingy arm towards off stump, Emon rocks back and jams it into the off side.

Full and outside off, Parvez Hossain Emon looks to cover drive but squeezes it away off the outside edge. The ball rolls down to deep third and the batters get a single. Emon looks for the second but is sent back, and he now moves to 49.

That'll sting a bit. Back of a length, swinging back into the left-hander. Parvez Hossain Emon looks to pull but the ball skids on and catches the inside edge before hitting Emon on the inside of the right thigh pad.

A touch fuller, slanted back into the stumps. Emon leans on and dabs it down the pitch.

Good length, just outside off. Hassan dabs it down to deep third and walks across for a single.

Hard length, over off and middle, Hassan watchfully nudges it across to mid-wicket.

On the shorter side, angled into the batter. Parvez Hossain Emon pulls it away in front of square leg and picks up a single. This partnership is now worth 90 runs.

Bilal Sami is back into the attack, replacing Azmatullah Omarzai.

Bangladesh have added 51 runs in the 21-30 over phase, but more importantly, they haven't lost any wickets.

Landed full and around off, Parvez Hossain Emon again unleashes the sweep shot and gets a single to deep backward square leg.

FOUR! A delightful shot! Half-volley on the off stump, sliding in. Emon gets down on a knee and sweeps it powerfully in front of square on the leg side. It speeds through the mid-wicket gap for a four.

A bit more round-armish, full outside off, Emon plays with the spin, forces it away to the right of the bowler. Nabi dives on his follow-through and makes a fine stop.

Dips on the batter and turns away sharply, full in length. Emon gently pushes it to the cover region.

Full again, on middle, Hassan works it to long on for a single.

Floated, full on off, Hassan stretches forward and defends.

DRINKS! We are nearly three fifths of the way into this first innings and Bangladesh have actually recovered quite well. However, Afghanistan are still just a couple of wickets away from exposing the Bangladesh lower order and keeping them down to an under-par total. A long way to go still, so let's get back to it.

Full on the leg stump, tight line. Emon clips it to short mid-wicket.

Shapes in a touch, full on middle, Saif drives it firmly to mid on's left and immediately skates through for a single. Hashmatullah Shahidi gets across, picks the ball up and has a shy at the bowling end, but misses.

Wide! The leg cutter goes completely wayward. Short and down leg. Let through by Saif.

Fuller ball, tailing in a touch, Saif Hassan flicks it on the bounce to Nabi at short mid-wicket. Nabi actually dives to his right and makes a good stop. Saves a few runs for sure.

Slower one, full on off, blocked watchfully off the front foot.

Spears it full on middle and leg, Hassan drives it straight to short cover.

Length-delivery, outside off, Saif plays off the back foot and steers it to backward point.

Slowish through the air, full on middle, Hassan drives it to long on for an easy single.

Pushed through, full on off, Emon lunges ahead and drills it to long off for a single.

Shortens the length, on the stumps, Emon stabs it back to the bowler.

Drifting into the batter on a fuller length, Emon defends it to the leg side with soft hands.

Beaten! This one spins a mile, on a length, outside off. Parvez Hossain Emon prepares for the cut shot but it beats the bat.

Dangles it full and outside off, Emon reaches out and pushes it to cover-point.

Full and outside off, driven firmly to deep extra cover for a single.

Fullish ball, outside off, pushed to short cover.

FOUR! A bit streaky, but he will take it! Off-cutter, on a good length, just outside off. Emon deliberately opens the bat face and guides it to the left of the diving Gurbaz for a boundary.

Fractionally full and outside off, Parvez strides forward and drives it on the rise to deep cover-point for a couple of runs.

Beaten! On a back of a length, on top of off. Parvez hangs back to defend, but the ball springs from the surface, straightens up, and beats the outside edge by a whisker.

Full on off, angling in, Parvez drives it to mid on.

Pitched full in front of the stumps, drifting in. Parvez gets down on a knee, reaches in front and sweeps it along the ground to deep square leg. One run taken. And with that, the 100 is up for Bangladesh. The partnership is worth 72 between this pair.

At 89.4 kph, fractionally full and spinning in, Hassan strokes it down to long on for a single.

On the off stump on a fuller length, Parvez drives it inside-out to deep extra cover for a single.

The in-dipper, full and on off, inviting the batter take the risk. But Emon just smothers the spin.

Lands it full on the stumps, Saif plays with a straight bat and drives it to long on for a single.

Turns in from off to middle, worked to the leg side with soft hands.

Quicker through the air, on a length, outside off, Emon hangs back and cuts it powerfully to deep backward point for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Misfield by Yamin. That should have been stopped at this level and Rashid, rightfully so, is not quite pleased with that loose effort. Full outside off, Emon shuffles across to his left and sweeps it behind square. Yamin Ahmadzai gives chase from deep square leg but puts in a sloppy effort, letting the ball slip through to the fence.

Bowls from around the stumps on a fuller length, Emon clips it to short mid-wicket.

The googly, on a length, Saif hangs back, lets the ball spin into him and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Full on the stumps, Hassan takes a giant stride forward to block.

Sharp leg-break, full and outside off, Hassan tries to block off the front foot but gets a bit of an outside edge towards the off side.

Short and this is played with the spin towards long on for a single.

Had to really hurry! A round-arm delivery by Nabi from around the wickets. Full on middle, angling in. Parvez leans forward and taps it into cover-point. He takes a few steps forward but hesitates to run but seeing Saif dash through for a single, he starts running towards the bowling end to complete the single. Rashid Khan picks the ball and releases a flat throw to the bowler, but it is way off the target and that allows Emon to skate through.

On the pads, at 80.2 kph, Hassan tickles the full ball behind deep fine leg for a single.

Tossed up, outside off and full, Hassan pushes it to short cover.

Spinning in and around middle, Hassan knocks the short ball to short mid-wicket.

Length ball, on leg, Emon knocks it away to long on for a single.

SIX! That has gone many a mile! A juicy full toss by Rashid and Saif Hassan accepts it gleefully and pulls it massively over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen runs. A bit of a word between Saif and Rashid there but it ends up in good spirits.

Looped a bit too full, on the leg stump. Saif carves it back to the bowler. Rashid picks the ball on his follow-through and, frustratingly, throws the ball towards Gurbaz. Saif just about manages to bail out from the firing line.

Short, googly, outside off, Saif punches it off the back foot to cover.

Slips in a full toss, on the stumps, Parvez drills it to long off for a single.

Nicely floated up, full on middle, Emon sweeps it straight to short fine leg.

Drops short, on leg, spinning in. Emon is rushed on the pull shot and finds the fielder at backward square leg.

On a length, outside off, Emon goes back and across and knocks it along the ground to long off. One run taken and that brings up the 50-run partnership between Emon and Saif. It has been a slow burn, but they have prevented a massive collapse, playing according to what the situation demands.

Around off and full, swept to backward square leg.

FOUR! Up and over! Short by Nabi, on the off stump, drifting in. Parvez Hossain Emon picks the length early, uses the depth of the crease and aerially pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. One bounce and into the fence.

From around the stump. Dropped full on off, turning away with a bit of bounce. Parvez lunges forward to defend, but it goes off the outside edge and rolls to short third.

Full and flat, on leg, Saif sits across on his knee and laps it over short fine leg. Rashid Khan is quick to dash to his right from deep backward square leg and keeps the batters down to a single only.

Spins in, on a length, Hassan rocks back and dinks it to short mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi is the latest spinner to be employed in the attack by Rahmat Shah.

Short on middle, and it is the googly. Saif hangs back and nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Too full on leg, Saif leans on and clips it to short mid-wicket.

FOUR LEG BYES! A huge appeal for LBW, but not given. But Afghanistan do not review this one. Full from Rashid, on the pads, sliding down leg. Saif Hassan misses the flick and the ball deflects off the front pad before racing to the fence behind. Clearly going down leg, given Gurbaz's position behind the stumps.

Full and around off, Emon drives it to long off for a single.

Another googly, outside off on a fuller length. Parvez goes down on a knee to play the sweep shot but gets an inside edge but luckily for him, the ball bounces past the leg stump and rolls to short fine leg.

A beauty! Dishes out the googly, full and outside off. Parvez Hossain Emon is clueless as he looks to block off the front foot but the ball zips past his outside edge.

Ghazanfar throws this one a bit wider now, and gets it to turn back in. Hassan caresses the drive to extra cover. Yet another tidy over, just one off it, and Bangladesh are 66/4 after 20 overs.

Floated up around off, this one does turn a bit, but again, Saif is well forward and hits it on the full to mid off.

Nice and full around off, looking for the carrom ball to turn away. Hassan gets confidently forward and punches the drive to mid off.

Bowled from around the wicket to the left-hander, and this is lobbed up outside off. Emon leans on and catches it on the full, driving it wide of long off for just a single.

Pushed through quicker, and a bit fuller on middle and leg. Emon is hurried and jams the bat down to defend.

Flatter one, on a length, darting it from leg to middle. Emon stays back and stabs it down to the left of the bowler.

Nagging length, in and around off, a bit slower again when compared to Rashid's regular pace. Hassan tentatively blocks it off.

Nice and full, on middle. Hassan lunges ahead and strokes it down the pitch, ending up hitting the stumps at the other end.

Flighted delivery, a bit full and on off. Saif Hassan gets a good stride forward and blocks it off the inside part of the blade to the on side.

Tossed up, full on leg stump and this is hit on the up towards long on for a single.

Dragged length outside off, cut away from the crease but straight to the point fielder.

Good, smart running, but the Afghanistan players aren't happy with the fielder backing up. Flotaed up on off, nudged away in front of point for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses and the fielder backing up is a bit lazy to come in, allowing the batters to get that second run.

That's well bowled. AM Ghazanfar sees Hassan backing away and fires one into the blockhole, and wide outside off. Hassan has to reach for it and only manages to squeeze it to point. Only two singles in the last two overs.

Good length on middle, straightening off the deck. Saif covers the line well and watchfully blocks it off. Saif is getting bogged down here.

Full of a good length, at the stumps, worked away with gentle hands to mid-wicket now.

On the shorter side and over middle, turning in a bit. Saif Hassan nurdles it behind square on the leg side.

Floated up a bit more, at the stumps, and this is stroked down to long on for a single.

Quicker and flatter, darting back in from outside off. Emon stays back and jams it into the off side.

A review wasted here. Another googly by Rashid, on a dragged length and around off. Saif Hassan neither gets forward nor does he rock back and pushes at it tentatively, getting beaten past the inside edge and wearing it on the pads. There is a huge appeal for LBW, but the umpire turns it down. Rashid Khan and the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, seem certain and after a lot of thinking, Rahmat Shah does review it. The third umpire checks UltraEdge first, and there's a huge deflection off the inside edge, and that is a poor review. It stays Not Out.

Bowled flatter and straighter at the stumps, worked away to mid-wicket by Saif.

For some reason, Saif bails out right before Rashid is about to bowl. Back to reload.

Oh, the googly now and Hassan didn't pick it up at all. Slower through the air, fuller and turning in from outside off. Hassan moves a bit to the off side and plays it late, getting another inside edge onto the pads.

Fuller this time and slightly more outside off, Saif eases it to cover.

Nearly gets chopped on! Flatter and on a nagging length, tight on off stump. Hassan gets a bit forward and pushes at it but gets an inside edge onto the back leg.

A bit of a loose start as Rashid serves a full toss on middle and leg. Emon just eases it down to long on and picks up a single.

No respite for the batters as Rashid Khan is into the attack for the first time. He has an excellent record against Bangladesh, especially in ODIs.

Slower through the air, floated up around off. Emon goes down to sweep and gets on top of the bounce, angling it along the ground and through backward square leg for a single.

WIDE! Bowled flatter and fuller, sliding it down the leg side for an extra.

Dragged length, spinning it well into the left-hander. Emon stays back and stabs it down to short mid-wicket.

This is tossed up a bit straighter, on middle and leg, and Saif works it wide of mid on for a quick run.

Flicked from the front of the hand, and flighted up on middle. Hassan leans forward and eases it back to the bowler.

Good length around off, angling back in. Emon rocks back and punches it wide of long off for one more.

Floated up at the stumps, this is driven back past the bowler and down to long off for a single.

SIX! That's been a long time coming, and the 50 is finally up for Bangladesh. Short-pitched delivery, angled into the batter. Emon decides to take it on and hooks it handsomely over long leg for a biggie.

A direct hit would certainly have been curtains for Parvez Hossain Emon. Good length, cutting back into the batter. Emon tucks it to the left of mid-wicket and wanders down the pitch for a single, but Hassan quickly sends him back. The fielder fires in a throw at the batter's end as Emon dives in, and thankfully for Emon, the fielder misses the stumps.

Hard length, straighter in line again, nudged away with soft hands to mid-wicket.

Angling down leg. Full of a good length, slanted back into the left-hander. Parvez Hossain Emon plays all around it and the ball catches him high on the pads. There's a stifled appeal for LBW from the bowler, but it's been turned down.

On a good length and angled into the batter. Hassan tucks it down to the right of mid-wicket for an easy single.

Banged in well short and over off, Saif Hassan stays back and plays an awkward pull shot, hitting it more like a tennis smash and getting it over the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

Dragged length on the pads, worked away behind square leg for just a single.

That's a jaffa from Ghazanfar. Another carrom ball, landing it a bit fuller and on off. Hassan is drawn forward to play at it but the ball just turns away a smidge and goes past the outside edge.

Looped up outside off, Emon sits down to sweep early and has to wait a bit before he angles it to the right of backward square leg. The fielder scampers across and dives in to make a half-stop, keeping it down to one run.

The attempted carrom ball now, on the pads and nudged down to short fine leg for a quick single.

Tossed up at the stumps now, Hassan walks inside the line of the ball a bit and clips it to mid on.

Should have been put away. A bit short and well wide of the off stump. Saif Hassan stays back and low, cutting it straight towards the fielder at backward point.

Drinks Break! It's been complete dominance by Afghanistan so far. Omarzai and Ahmadzai got the ball moving early on and absolutely crushed the Bangladeshi top order with their discipline. They were reduced to 38/4 in the Powerplay and have a massive task ahead of them in rebuilding, with not much batting left. Saif Hassan has tried hard to break the shackles, but the bowlers have not given him an inch, while Emon is simply going through the motions at the moment. For now, they just need to keep their focus on moving the scoreboard through strike rotation, even if boundaries are hard to come by, rather than just going into a defensive shell. Afghanistan, on the other hand, would want their second line of attack to keep the pressure intact by taking regular wickets. AM Ghazanfar will continue after the break.

And just like that, Emon nearly throws it all away. A heavy short ball from Sami, hammered into the deck and angled towards the bodyline. Parvez Hossain Emon is late on the pull, mistiming it badly, and just in front of the lunging short mid-wicket fielder.

Pitched up at the stumps, darting back in. Emon leans on and blocks it off. Emon is now on 2 off 17 balls, but that shouldn't bother him much, because it's all about keeping his wicket intact right now.

Good carry on offer for Sami. He comes around the wicket to the left-hander and bowls it into the turf, getting the ball to just seam away a bit as well. Emon rises up with the bounce and looks to cut but is beaten past the outside edge.

Fuller this time, outside off again, and this is punched away between point and covers for a single.

Length ball, pushed wider of the off stump. Hassan smacks it down into the turf but can't quite beat the point fielder to his left.

Back of a length, in and around off. Hassan gets forward and nudges it down to point.

A tad shorter and drifted into the legs, Hassan stays back and dabs it down through square leg for a run.

Good length, slightly wide outside off. Saif Hassan opts to hang back and taps it down to backward point.

Floated up around off, Parvez gets forward and a bit across to the off side, smothering it down to long on for a single.

Pushed through flatter, sliding it in with the arm, towards off and middle. Emon rocks back and jams it out to short extra cover.

Nicely flighted, very full and landing it on off. Emon leans forward and drives it into the turf, straight back to the bowler.

Bowled from around the wicket, full and drifted into middle and leg. Emon blocks it toward the non-striker.

Now then, first look at spin. Here's AM Ghazanfar. He replaces Yamin Ahmadzai.

That's sloppy from Hashmatullah Shahidi. Good length in the channel, stroked away towards cover-point, where Shahidi fumbles it behind and concedes a single.

A bit unlucky for the batter. Pitched up on middle, Emon drives with the full face of the bat but ends up hitting the stumps at the other end.

WIDE! Aggressive delivery from Sami, dug in well short at almost 134 kph and right around the front shoulder. Emon looks to pull but misses and a wide is given, probably for height.

A slight misfield, but it is well backed up. Full of a length and around off, Parvez Hossain Emon gets forward and punches it on the up. The extra cover fielder slides to his left and lets the ball through, but the man at mid off scampers to his right and tidies up.

Good-length delivery, slinging it into the pads. Emon tucks it down in front of square leg. Three dots to begin with from Sami.

This is pitched up on middle, angling it away, Emon gets forward well and defends it to square cover.

Sami starts off on a hard length, bowling it on a tight line around off. Parvez Hossain Emon looks to punch it away but ends up chopping it back onto the deck.

Powerplay 1 is done. Afghanistan have dominated proceedings so far, but the field can now spread, and Bangladesh will have opportunities to find more gaps. For now, it seems like Rahmat Shah is opting to attack with only 2 fielders out in the deep. Also, Bilal Sami comes in as the first bowling change.

FOUR! Powered away into the gap! Saif advances to a length-delivery which is bowled outside off and slaps it hard over the point fielder for a boundary. Good intent. Bangladesh end their Powerplay at 38/4.

Not all that full, outside off, Saif creams the cover drive, but Sediqullah Atal makes a sharp diving stop to his left at short cover.

Bowls it full, on the fourth stump, Saif lunges and blocks it to cover.

FOUR! Now that's a fine shot! A bit back of a length, outside the off stump. Saif Hassan springs down the track, creates room by staying leg side and whacks it over extra cover for a cracking boundary. A four after a long while for Bangladesh.

Oh, this one skids through. On a length around the leg stump. Saif looks to flick but closes the bat face early. The ball catches the leading edge and rolls back to the bowler.

Full and straight on the stumps, Hassan leans on and defends it to cover.

Action replay of the previous ball. Too wide on a length, Emon is happy to watch it go through.

Back of a length, outside off, Emon leaves the harmless delivery.

Shapes in on middle, on a length, 131.6 kph. Emon presses forward and stabs it back at the bowler.

Pitched full on off, Emon blocks the ball right under his eyes.

Straightens up from a length, around off. Parvez gets squared up to defend, but it rolls off the outside edge towards point.

Slants onto the pads, on a good length, Saif steers it to deep square leg for a single.

A touch full and on the off stump. Hassan forces the drive wide of the cover fielder for a single.

Angling in on a fullish length, Hassan works it to mid-wicket.

Length-delivery, outside off, Hassan punches it to short cover.

Length ball and outside off again, Hassan makes the leave.

Outside off, and this is left alone watchfully.

On a back of a length, outside off, Hassan lets it through.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Wicket number 2 for Azmatullah Omarzai as Hridoy goes for a silver duck. He gets the ball to shape in onto the pads, on a fuller length. Hridoy goes for the flick but the ball slightly stops on the surface. As a result, Towhid's bat twists at the point of contact and a thick leading edge is found. The ball bobbles up towards the bowler and Azmatullah Omarzai plucks it with his right hand in his follow-through. Excellent reflexes from him and Hridoy stands there completely stunned. The day just keeps getting worse for Bangladesh as they slip to 28/4. Also, Parvez Hossain Emon walks out to bat next.

Bangladesh are now in some serious trouble and need a big partnership.

Wide! Strays down the leg stump, full in length, Hridoy misses the flick.

Smidge full and outside off, driven crisply to mid off by Towhid.

The new batter is Bangladesh's skipper, Towhid Hridoy.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! The trap was laid for Shanto and he eventually falls in it. This is excellent bowling by Omarzai. Good length ball, outside the off stump. Najmul Hossain Shanto again prods half-forward to block but it nips in just slightly and that's enough for the ball to graze the outside edge before it nestles into Rahmanullah Gurbaz's gloves. Loose shot from Shanto and Bangladesh are struggling badly with 3 down for just 27.

Peach of a delivery! Pitched fuller and angled into the batter, around off. Najmul Hossain Shanto is drawn forward to defend but it lands and straightens up to beat his outside edge.

Wide! Too far outside off, going beyond the tramline. Left alone. Not much bounce on this one either.

Oh, a tempter! At 127.1 kph, this is a good length, outside off. It holds the line as Shanto dangles the bat away from his body to play at it. It beats the outside edge by a kitten-whisker.

Nipping in on a good length, Shanto hops back and knocks it to the cover region.

On a fuller length, on off, Saif checks the drive to mid off.

Another one that shapes in from a length, Shanto tries to drive it straight, but gets it off the inner half towards widish mid-wicket for a single.

Moving in from off, on a fullish length, Shanto mistimes the straight drive to mid on.

Outside off and full, strongly driven to mid off.

FOUR! Off the inside edge! Slanted miles outside off, and it would have been a wide had Shanto left it alone. Instead, he reaches out to access the off side and gets a thick inside edge. The ball trickles behind to the keeper, where Rahmanullah Gurbaz, having moved too far to his left, is wrong-footed and dives to his right in vain as the ball stays out of his reach and races to the fence behind.

Pushed outside off, full, Shanto leaves.

Shaping in, full on leg, Saif flicks it along the ground and to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Swings in, from middle to leg, full in length, Shanto flicks it firmly and wide of mid-wicket for a quick single.

FOUR! Nicely timed and placed! Short and into the bodyline, Shanto picks the length early, swivels and nails the pull shot through square leg for a boundary.

Around off and this is pushed away to cover.

Hammers it on a good length, angling it on the stumps, Shanto is rushed on the back foot, trying to work it across but the ball beats the inside edge. It thuds the thigh pad and lobs towards Ibrahim Zadran at backward point, who moves ahead and gobbles it up.

From around the stump, on a length, on top of off, Shanto knocks it to the off side.

Smartly bowled! Saif shows his cards early and jumps out of the crease to give it a whack over the off side, but seeing him, Yamin cleverly pushes it far outside off, on a length. Saif has to really stretch out to reach for it, but it keeps nibbling away to beat his bat. He is itching to get going.

Very full and straight, on middle and leg. Hassan's head falls over as he forces it down to mid off.

Full and outside off, not much swing on this one. Hassan strokes it away, but straight to extra cover.

Speared onto the pads on a fuller length, Saif Hassan flicks it off the inside half of the bat towards deep fine leg. AM Ghazanfar moves and dives to his right to make a fine stop. Two runs taken. Good effort in the deep.

Beaten! Fairly outside off, on a length, moving away late. Saif throws his hands at it to cut it square but the ball zips past his angled bat.

Nice shape. Full and swinging away from the batter. Hassan presses in front and blocks it right off the middle.

Too straight on the pads, Shanto clips the full ball to the square leg region.

Angles it in and around off, full in length, Shanto gets the flick badly mistimed and it struggles to reach the mid-wicket fielder.

A bit more effort behind this delivery. Short of a length, wide outside off, Najmul is happy to leave. This one kept low on the bounce.

Good areas by Azmat! He gets the ball to slant it across the batter, on a good length. Shanto lets it through to the keeper and does not poke at it.

A slight halt as Najmul Hossain Shanto isn't happy with some movement behind the bowler's arm. Shanto has a word with the umpire, who gets it sorted and we are good to go again.

On a nagging length, on off, Shanto camps back and blocks it down the pitch.

INSIDE EDGE AND FOUR! Streaky, very streaky! Length-delivery, around off and shaping in with a considerable bounce. Shanto hangs back to punch it away but gets a fat inside edge. Luckily for him, the ball jumps over the stumps and speeds to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Just a little shape into the batter, full on the pads, Shanto tickles it behind to deep fine leg for a single. A massively successful over for Afghanistan and Yamin.

Attacks the stumps on a fuller length, Shanto carefully blocks it back to the bowler.

Wide! Too full, far outside off, left alone.

Well-bowled! In the channel of uncertainty, a touch full and outside off with a bit of an inswing. Najmul closely watches it and leaves.

What an impact from Yamin Ahmadzai in his very first over! Bangladesh are in a spot of bother really early here, and Najmul Hossain Shanto now walks in to face the hat-truck delivery/

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Yet another failure for Sarkar in ODIs as he falls for a golden duck. Hits the length hard, does Yamin, outside the off-stump line. Soumya Sarkar hangs back and tries to cut it square on the off side, but he stays put and it is a bit too close to execute that shot. He ends up chopping it back onto the stumps and stands there in absolute shock. Yamin is on a hat-trick and Afghanistan are on a roll in Sharjah. Bangladesh have been dented to 6/2.

Bangladesh are under pressure early in this must-win contest. Soumya Sarkar now walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! There's the first breakthrough as Yamin strikes. Ahmadzai bashes the length hard, on the off stump. It lands and holds its line but slightly kicks up from the surface. Tanzid Hasan looks to block it off the back foot, but plays inside the line. Perhaps he anticipated the ball to shape in, but gets a faint outside edge. A straightforward catch to Rahmanullah Gurbaz behind the stumps. The Afghans are delighted and Bangladesh are 6/1 in 1.2 overs.

A little hint of inswing, full and outside off, Hasan cracks the drive to the off side, but straight to the mid off fielder.

Wide! Fourth wide in a total of six runs so far. Back of a length, down leg. Tanzid misses out on the pull shot.

Wide! Miles outside off, on a good length, Hasan leaves as the ball keeps nibbling beyond the tramline.

Yamin Ahmadzai to operate from the opposite end.

Oh, some intent! Saif advances on this length-delivery and tries to slap it through cover, but cannot pierce the gap, hitting it straight to the fielder.

Swinging in on off, Tanzid drives the length ball to the left of mid off. Rashid swoops in with a dive and makes a half-stop. One run taken and Tanzid also opens his account.

Holds its line, full around off, Hasan defends it to cover with soft hands.

Full and hooping in from off, Hasan mistimes the flick off the inner half and it rolls to short mid-wicket.

Much tighter on middle and leg, curving in, Tanzid hangs back and taps the length ball to mid-wicket.

Wide! Misfires an inswinging delivery down leg, on a good length. Tanzid tries to glance it away but misses. Two extras already.

Shapes the other way now, full and outside off, Hassan mistimes the cover drive, but it's played in the gap and he pinches in a single to get off the mark.

Wide! Swing straightaway, but it's sprayed down leg on a fuller length. It keeps shaping down as Saif misses the flick.

Done with the pre-match proceedings, it is now time to get the play underway. The umpires are out in the middle, and the players of Afghanistan form a huddle before spreading out on the field. It will be the duo of Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan to open the innings for Bangladesh. Azmatullah Omarzai has been handed the new ball, and he is raring to go. Let's play...

We are just a few minutes away from the start of the game, but first, the two sets of players line-up for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Bangladesh first, followed by that of Afghanistan.

PITCH REPORT - Tino Mawoyo is inspecting the surface. He starts by saying that it is very warm and humid and that it looks like an absolute beauty. Reports that there's not much sheen on the surface and calls it pretty ideal for batting. Informs that this pitch has been used before and has proven ideal for batting, producing four high-scoring games over the last ten days or so, with conditions likely to be similar to what was seen in Abu Dhabi. Mawoyo describes it as a fantastic track to bat on, with pleasant weather sitting around 35 degrees Celsius. He points out that a helpful breeze is blowing through, which may lessen the dew factor and keep conditions comfortable for the players. Up close, he says the pitch looks grand and exceptionally well-rolled, with a bit more grass than usual, which is what has taken away the traditional sheen. Apart from that, he feels it offers ideal batting conditions once again, making Bangladesh's decision to bat first the right call. He also notes that Afghanistan boast a strong batting lineup, as was seen against Zimbabwe a couple of nights ago.

In conversation with Taskin Ahmed - Taskin says that every game he's trying to follow the same process and as a bowler you need to find the right length for that particular surface quickly and likes to try and build bowling partnerships. On the surface, Taskin says that historically Sharjah is a flatter surface and they need to execute well. On Nahid Rana, he says that he's a big asset for the team in all formats and hopes that he recovers soon. On this must-win game, Taskin says that every day is different and they will try to give their 110 percent and get the win.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (C), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Yamin Ahmadzai (In for Fazalhaq Farooqi) and Bilal Sami (In for Ziaur Rahman).

Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy (C), Parvez Hossain Emon (WK) (In for Nurul Hasan), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (In for Mosaddek Hossain), Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Aliss Al Islam (In for Rishad Hossain) and Mustafizur Rahman. On ODI debut ​​- Aliss Al Islam.

The Afghan skipper - Rahmat Shah says that they would have batted first as well. On how many runs they plan to restrict Bangladesh, he stresses bowling in the right channels, showing discipline, and not thinking about a target. When asked about the changes in the XI, Shah shares that they have two changes as they want to test the bench strength. Informs that Fazalhaq Farooqi and Ziaur Rahman are out, with Yamin Ahmadzai and Bilal Sami coming in.

The captain of Bangladesh - Towhid Hridoy opts to bat first, mentioning that first of all they need to assess the wicket and hopes that they get a good start. He adds that the mood in the dressing room is good and informs that they have three changes in the side with Aliss Al Islam making his debut and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also comes into the line-up.

TOSS - It's time for the coin to go up in Sharjah. Both captains - Rahmat Shah and Towhid Hridoy - are out in the middle. Rahmat gives it a flick, and Hridoy calls Tails. And it is the right call. Bangladesh have elected to BAT first.

Conditions and combinations - All eyes are on Bangladesh's team sheet. Key all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who missed the first game with viral fever, is being monitored closely. His potential return for this high-stakes clash would be a massive shot in the arm, restoring crucial experience and depth to both their batting and bowling units. Afghanistan, in stark contrast, are operating at full tilt with a settled setup, though they have the option to refresh their pace battery with Bilal Sami or Yamin Ahmadzai. On-field tactics point to a bat first, bat big mandate. Sharjah's day-night ODI history reveals ten 300-plus totals with a 100 per cent defense record, as the ground's highest successful day-night chase tops out at 285. As heavy night-time humidity settles over the ground to aid the spinners under floodlights, setting a target becomes the supreme strategy.

History at Sharjah - Having enjoyed massive success in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan now return to their old stomping ground in Sharjah for the first time in two years. The venue holds fond memories for them. 20 victories in 31 ODIs and a series win against Bangladesh a couple of years back reinforce just how comfortable they feel in these desert conditions. The numbers tell a tough story for Bangladesh in Sharjah, where seven defeats in eight ODIs paint a grim picture. Yet, their solitary success at this famous ground was recorded against Afghanistan back in 2024. The Tigers will cling to that memory today as they look to end a two-year drought without an ODI win over their Afghan rivals.

The last lap - Cruising from Abu Dhabi to the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the UAE ODI tri-series reaches its final stretch! It's Afghanistan vs Bangladesh in a high-stakes game that can also be seen as a virtual semi-final. High-flying Afghanistan practically have one foot in the final after a 158-run thrashing of Zimbabwe. Bangladesh, bruised and bogged down by a severe NRR deficit after a heavy defeat to the Chevrons, need nothing short of a miracle win to book a spot in the title clash. Can the Tigers patch up their flaws and roar back, or will Afghanistan continue their dominant run? On that note, hello and welcome to our coverage.

... MATCH DAY ...

Spiced up in the desert - The ODI tri-series in the UAE has reached its final stretch and the last league game brings Afghanistan face-to-face with Bangladesh. FYI, this is a single round-robin format, so each team is scheduled to play against each other just once. Afghanistan come in riding a thumping 158-run victory over Zimbabwe, which has sent their net run rate soaring to 3.16 and all but booked their place in the final. Bangladesh are in a far tougher spot. A 99-run defeat at the hands of the Chevrons has left them at the bottom of the heap with a net run rate of -1.98. For them, a simple win will not cut it. They need a colossal one to leapfrog Zimbabwe and snatch the second spot in the title clash. Afghans on a roll, with something to fix - Five wins on the bounce in ODIs, some by huge margins, and Rahmat Shah’s Afghanistan look like a side where every department is humming. The Zimbabwe game showed it. Ibrahim Zadran’s 90 gave the innings its backbone, and Sediqullah Atal, in scintillating form and hungry for big runs, turned that into a 102. There is one soft spot. The middle order wobbled, losing wickets in clusters, and with this much experience in the dressing room, Rahmat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Hasmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi will want to take more responsibility. Rahmanullah Gurbaz has a different job. He keeps getting starts in the 20s and 30s, and the next step is turning one of them into a big score instead of giving his wicket away out of impatience. It's Rashid's world, and we are just living in it - Hard to argue about that, honestly. There's no doubt about what a champion of a bowler Rashid Khan is. Boasting 230 ODI wickets to his name, he unleashed his bag of tricks and completely choked the Chevrons for runs, with outstanding figures of 4/17. The variations are famous by now, so the surprise isn’t what he bowls. It’s how willing he is to rework his plan for each batter and keep finding a new way in. What makes this Afghan attack even more dangerous is the way it hunts as a pack. Last time out, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Ziaur Rahman found plenty of swing and set the tone with the new ball, and the spin troika of Rashid, Ghazanfar and Nabi then tightened the net with control and discipline and just kept picking wickets at regular intervals. You can have an off day with the ball, or even with the bat. That's the part and parcel of the game, but you cannot afford to have a bad day in the field. Afghanistan didn't, and their sharp fielding backed up the good work their batters and bowlers did quite perfectly to seal a big win. They will look to keep continuing this good work, but the challenge is to sustain this level of intensity in such challenging warm conditions. Tigers looking to roar back - A lot went wrong from Bangladesh's perspective in their previous game, against Zimbabwe. The major issue, which is also a recurring one, is how their batting unit is getting consumed under pressure time and again. They slipped from 47/0 to getting bowled out on 172 with nobody at least willing to spend time out there. And that's a serious drawback they will have to overcome this time around. Tanzid Hasan has been Bangladesh’s one reliable constant with the bat in ODIs this year. The opener scored 46 in the last game and leads the 2026 run charts for his side with 532 from 13 innings, including a hundred and five fifties. Towhid Hridoy is next best with 446, and the drop-off after that is steep. Soumya Sarkar has just one fifty-plus score in his last ten innings, and Najmul Hossain Shanto and Saif Hassan have also been up and down. Das' injury scare - Bangladesh have taken a heavy blow. Litton Das has been ruled out of the series with a hip-joint injury, and the scare that began with a scan on Monday, October 19, has ended in the worst way for the tourists. A BCB medical official had offered a ray of hope earlier, saying Das was being closely monitored and that the reports showed nothing significantly bad. Hope, as it turns out, was not a green light. The timing makes it sting. Das was named captain before the series and arrived in glorious touch, with a 53 and a 102 in the one-off Test against the same opposition a couple of weeks back. Bangladesh missed him badly in the previous match, and now they must plan without him for the rest of the series. Meanwhile, there is some good news for Bangladesh. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, one of their star campaigners, missed the series opener with a fever but looks set to be available for this match. His return would give the lower-middle order a genuine batting and bowling option, backed by plenty of experience, and he could replace Rishad who was a bit too expensive the other day. A comfort in pace - It isn't all doom and gloom for Bangladesh, because the pacers gave them plenty to cheer against Zimbabwe. Taskin Ahmed set the tone with a three-wicket haul, getting swing and bounce out of the new ball. Mustafizur Rahman finished wicketless but kept things tight with his cutters and the usual control that he brings on, while Shoriful Islam added discipline and a couple of wickets too. The spin department is a different story. Saif played the golden arm with a couple of crucial wickets, but Rishad was too expensive. That leaves a selection puzzle. Aliss Al Islam has been catching eyes in domestic cricket, so this could be his moment. Or Bangladesh could reshuffle the pace pack and bring in Hasan Mahmud, who took a five-for against Afghanistan in the Test and a six-for in Darwin against Australia before that. Team form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - AFG - WWWWW | BAN - LWLLL. All level - On paper, these two could hardly be closer. Afghanistan have been the stronger side of late and Bangladesh have their share of problems, yet the ODI head-to-head is still level at 11-11. The recent past tells a different story, though. When they last met in Abu Dhabi, in October 2025, Afghanistan swept the bilateral series 3-0, and Bangladesh have not beaten them in this format since November 2024. That is a streak they will be itching to end this time around.