Rahmanullah Gurbaz hundred and Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round performance overshadowed Mahmudullah’s brilliance as Bangladesh suffered a five-wicket defeat in the series-deciding third ODI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE Monday. 

Afghanistan chased down 245 quite comfortably in the end, losing five wickets keeping 10 balls in hand.

With this defeat, Bangladesh also suffered a 1-2 series defeat to Afghanistan. This is Afghanistan’s back-to-back ODI series win against Bangladesh and also their back-to-back ODI series win after their triumph against South Africa at the same venue in September.

Defending 245, Bangladesh had their first breakthrough in the eighth over thanks to the debutant Nahid Rana. 

The right-arm pacer, considered to be the fastest bowler of the country at the moment, immediately made his mark through his pace as he removed Sediqullah Atal (14) with a 147 kph beauty. He angled from around the wicket, and pitched it on a length around the fifth stump. 

It seamed back in nicely for him, as Atal looked to punch forward. But there was a gap between bat and pad, and that was enough for the ball to pierce through and tickle the off stump, also leaving the keeper amazed by the pace and bounce even after hitting the stumps.

Mustafizur Rahman sent Rahmat Shah (8) back to the pavilion through a simple caught and bowled before dismissing Hashmatullah Shahidi (6) to make his second victim on the day.  

Afghanistan were reduced to 84/3 in the 21st over before centurion Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai built a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket. 

Gurbaz bagged his eighth ODI hundred on the way. His aggressive yet sensible knock, well accompanied by Omarzai, put Afghanistan in the driver’s seat but Gurbaz departed soon after reaching the three-digit mark. 

Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan made the breakthrough as he got the prized wicket of Gurbaz who scored 101 from 120 balls hitting seven maximums and five boundaries.

Nahid Rana returned to the attack and dismissed Gulbadin Naib a few overs later which gave Bangladesh a sense of late fightback in the match. 

But Omarzai, who picked up four wickets with the ball in hand, played an impressive knock along with veteran campaigner Mohammad Nabi to guide Afghanistan home and secure the series. 

Omarzai remained unbeaten on 70 hitting three boundaries and five sixes while Nabi scored an unbeaten 34.

Earlier, Mahmudullah scored a brilliant run-a-ball 98 to help Tigers post 244/8.

Mahmudullah, who was run out on the final delivery of the innings while attempting a second run, hit with seven fours and three sixes 29th ODI fifty and in the process guided the team towards a respectable total.

Bangladesh were struggling at 72 for four in the 15th over when Mahmudullah along with Mehidy Hasan formed a crucial 145-run fifth-wicket partnership. Mehidy made 66 from 119 balls.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has suffered a groin strain in the last match that ruled him out from the series decider and forced Mehidy to take the responsibility of leading the side.

Azmatullah Omarzai picked four wickets while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi took one wicket apiece.