Gurbaz ton, Rashid three-for help Afghanistan prevent whitewash
Batters, with the exception of Litton Das, let Bangladesh down as they are bowled out for 192
Batters, with the exception of Litton Das, let Bangladesh down as they are bowled out for 192
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: S. Sudarshanan
6:33pm That brings curtains to this three-match ODI series. Afghanistan have jumped to the fourth spot on the points table in the ICC World Cup Super League with 70 points. Bangladesh continue to sit pretty at the top with 100 points. The tour's not over yet. The first of the two T20Is will be played on Thursday (March 3) in Mirpur. Be sure to join us then. Hope you have enjoyed our coverage so far. Meanwhile, do check out the coverage for the Women's World Cup that kicks off from this Friday. Until next time, this is S. Sudarshanan signing off, on behalf of Ekanth and Thilak Rama. Take care, stay safe!
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi says he is proud of the team in the way they won the game after winning the first two. Reckons that the pitch was grassy and he was happy with Tamim's choice of batting first. Says that Farooqi's bowling is a big plus, and also praises Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan too. "I love the way they bowled today," he says about Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, the senior pros.
Player of the series, Litton Das Finished with 223 runs in the three games; the next best was 133 (Rahmat Shah.) "I did my job in the first 15 overs since they bowled well in the first powerplay. My target is to bat at least for 35 overs and if I can bat for longer, it will change the game." Thanks his wife for her support, too.
Player of the match, Rahmanullah Gurbaz "I had some icing and recovered from the injury in the previous match. My captain wants hundreds from me and not just fifty. I tried to play a longer knock whenever I get set. Today was my day and I hit a hundred. Rahmat and Riaz played well and once they performed well, I was under pressure since I didn't play well in the first few games. Rahmat supported me well."
Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal "Very disappointed. During the ODI championship, we were in a similar position against Sri Lanka and couldn't finish it. Happened again. We started well and lost the rhythm in the middle. Litton Das got out at the wrong time. I probably thought this was the most important game in the series as it is about gaining as many points as possible. We were 100 for one, did the hard-work but lost the wickets when the wicket got better." Talks about not holding on to the chances offered by Gurbaz, before praising him.
6:25pm Time for the presentation.
Raiyan Lodien: "That's the game we wanted to play, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the one man army of Afghanistan, wish he would keep the momentum on."
Seth: "What a great young talent Gurbaz is! 3 centuries in his first 9 matches!"
Shakib Al Hasan kept the lid on the scoring at the start, after coming into the attack pretty early. But apart from Riaz Hassan's wicket, the allrounder had little to show for his efforts. At times it did feel as if Bangladesh had thrown in the towel after being bundled out for just 192. Litton Das yet again shone with the bat with an 86-run knock. But there was little to show for Bangladesh apart from him, as Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi showed their full wares. A win that should please Afghanistan right before the start of the two-T20I series.
6:08pm A consolation win for Afghanistan, but a very strong one, thanks to a wonderful knock by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who struck his third ODI ton. Every time he has crossed fifty in the format, he has gone on to cross triple figures. He wasn't without fortune by his side but made it count to finish unbeaten. Gurbaz's 79-run stand for the opening wicket with Riaz Hassan set the chase up wonderfully for the tourists before Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah put the game to bed with their 100-run alliance.
Last powerplay starts. Final formalities left. Miraz has the ball.
Just one needed...
The Bangladesh captain says he wants his side to finish in the top four on the World Cup Super Leage points table
Batters, with the exception of Litton Das, let Bangladesh down as they are bowled out for 192
Afghanistan will want to fix gaping holes in their batting