Afghanistan clinches ODI series against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi

Afghanistan clinched the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh with a commanding 81-run win at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, completing a 2-0 sweep and leaving the visitors with a must-win final match. Afghanistan defended a modest total after a patient 95 from Ibrahim Zadran and then bowled Bangladesh out for 109, led by a five-wicket haul from legspinner Rashid Khan and supporting strikes from Azmatullah Omarzai and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar.

Batting first, Afghanistan were dismissed for 190 in 44.5 overs. Zadran anchored the innings with a long, disciplined 95 off 140 balls on a surface that offered grip and turn, while Rahmat Shah contributed a valuable lower-order resistance before sustaining a leg injury late in the innings that forced him to leave the field and eventually be taken from the ground in a wheelchair after bouncing back briefly. Afghanistan’s total proved challenging under the conditions, which slowed and assisted bowlers as the match progressed.

Bangladesh’s reply collapsed under disciplined Afghan bowling. Azmatullah Omarzai struck early to remove Tanzid Hasan, and the pressure mounted with regular breakthroughs. Rashid Khan turned...