Bangladesh thrashed by 200 runs in third ODI, suffer clean sweep against Afghanistan

Opener Saif Hassan was the only batter to reach double figures as Bangladesh were thumped by 200 runs in the third and final ODI against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Chasing a challenging 294-run target, another spineless batting display had Bangladesh bundled out for just 93 in 27.1 overs. Playing for pride after being brushed aside in the first two matches, the Tigers dished out their worst all-round outing, allowing Afghanistan to not only reach their highest total in the series but also restricting the Tigers to their lowest. The Tigers posted 221 all out in the first match and folded for 109 in pursuit of 190 in the second. 

The defeat marked Bangladesh's ninth loss in 10 matches under skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz's ODI captaincy. Their struggles in the format have deepened alarmingly in 2024, with 13 defeats in 17 outings and only one series win during this period -- a 2-1 victory against Sri Lanka in March.

Saif, Bangladesh's best batter in the series by miles, once again got off to a solid start, putting away three sixes and two fours for a 54-ball 43 but was undone by ace spinner Rashid Khan. Only Saif managed to reach double figures, the next best contribution came from number 10 batter Hasan Mahmud, who made nine. Rashid was at to his mystifying best, finishing with figures of 3-12, but it was pacer Bilal Sami who took the spotlight with his maiden fiver-wicket haul (5-33). Azmatullah Omarzai scalped one with the new ball inside the Powerplay. 

Earlier, Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran missed out on another ton after the hosts opted to bat as Saif and Tanvir Islam led Bangladesh's fightback to restrict them to 293 for nine. Late fireworks from Mohammad Nabi, however, made sure to spoil Bangladesh's comeback.

Zadran, who had scored 95 in the second ODI, repeated the feat with another 95 -- this time off 111 balls, featuring seven fours and two sixes -- before being run out. He set the tone early, stitching together a 99-run opening stand with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made a brisk 42 off 44 deliveries.

Tanvir provided Bangladesh their first breakthrough in the 16th over, trapping Gurbaz leg-before, before Saif struck twice in quick succession to halt Afghanistan's momentum. Zadran tried to rebuild, adding 74 runs for the third wicket with Sediqullah Atal (29 off 47), but the latter chipped one back to Saif in the 32nd over. In his next, Saif removed skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi for two, before rattling Ikram Alikhil's stumps for another cheap dismissal to leave Afghanistan wobbling at 188 for five in the 38th over.

Saif finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 6 from just four overs, while Tanvir returned later to dismiss the dangerous Azmatullah Omarzai for 20. Bangladesh seemed on course to restrict Afghanistan below 250, but veteran Nabi launched a late counterattack. Coming in during the 38th over, the all-rounder bludgeoned five sixes and four fours in an unbeaten 37-ball 62 to lift his side to a competitive 293 for nine.